Propulsion Thermal Engineer III

Application close date:

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

As part of a small team of engineers, you will perform thermal analysis to support the design and development of our thruster systems. This role supports the full development cycle, from early design trades through hot-fire testing and hardware qualification, and gives you direct influence over how thruster hardware is designed and verified. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and numerical analysis and can solve complex engineering problems from initial concept through qualification. You should be comfortable working independently, contributing to design decisions, and communicating results clearly to the rest of the team.

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   Perform detailed thermal analysis of thrusters and subassemblies, including design trade studies, component sizing, and design verification

  • Develop detailed thermal models using industry-standard tools to predict thruster and subsystem thermal behavior

  • Analyze thermal test data to anchor, validate, and refine thermal models and analyses

  • Support component design from a thermal perspective throughout the development cycle

  • Lead and support thermal design reviews and verification activities throughout the product lifecycle

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with propulsion, materials, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure designs meet thermal margins and safety requirements

  • Document analysis methods, assumptions, results, and recommendations

  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of thermal analysis processes, tools, and best practices within the team

• 4+ years of professional experience related to thermal analysis
• Strong technical fundamentals in fluids and thermodynamics
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, SINDA FLUINT, and Ansys
• Proficiency with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid analysis
• Able to perform hand calculations to validate and improve models
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and work independently
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

• M.S. degree or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 6+ years of thermal analysis of propulsion systems and components

Base Pay Range for:

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
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Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

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