Chief Engineer

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

As part of the Chief Engineering team, you will provide technical leadership and oversight across the development of the New Glenn Block II 1st stage.  In this role you shall ensure sound technical design and compliance to standards across the development and operational lifecycle. This role requires strong engineering and collaboration skills that will be utilized across all New Glenn and Blue Origin business units, sites, and partners to implement the sound solutions that support the imposed requirements and architecture. You will lead development of and contribute to innovative solutions in a fast-paced challenging environment. As a leader you are expected to exemplify technical judgement, competence, and a passion for the highest technical standards. You will hold the engineering team accountable to business and industry standards and drive them to produce work of high quality.  You will collaborate directly with the business unit and engineering leadership to achieve program goals. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and attention towards safe and reliable spaceflight.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for New Glenn Block II 1st stage, providing direction on requirements, design, and risks.  As well as provide assessments on budget, and schedule with the 1st Stage Program Manager and product owners.

• Drive and coordinate participation of all disciplines needed to deliver successful engineering results.  This shall include and is not limited to; Structures, Fluids Mechanical, Avionics, Strength Analysis, Thermal/Fluid Analysis, Materials and Processes (M&P,) GNC, Software, Mission Design, Certification, Test, Production, Procurement, Launch and Recovery Operations.

• Identify gaps between requirements, design, manufacturing, operations and work with project teams on practical solutions across the lifecycle.  For GS1 in particular, this includes leveraging operational data to reduce refurbishment time and incrementally improve cost and performance.

• Assess and disposition technical risks across a product / program.

• Assess and approve technical completion and compliance at major program and element technical reviews.

• Provide engineering leadership and mentoring to coordinate design, analysis, and systems engineering processes throughout development, verification, delivery and operation. 

• Lead development of and provide review of corrective actions for major failures at the program/product level and work with functional managers in addressing systemic issues.

• Facilitate technical trades and advise teams on solutions for flight and ground architectures.

• Collaborate with other business unit chief engineers to develop and enforce engineering processes, standards and best practices.

• Represent the Company and project with key customers and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Passion for mission: Providing low-cost access to space!

• B.S. in an engineering-related field, with 15+ years of design, development or analysis experience.

• Experience with space launch system development, production, and operations.

• Experience in full lifecycle development of aerospace systems, including many aspects of system design, analysis, and test, requirement and verification definition, software implementation and verification, system integration, qualification, production operations, supplier management, launch operations and product certification.

• Direct experience designing, deploying and supporting complete complex flight systems or systems.

• Highly organized team player with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated track record of personal integrity, strong technical judgement and bias for action from their previous assignments.

• Demonstrated ability to operate with cohesive and effective teams and drive decision making within those teams.

• Ability to travel and/or temporary duty in support of increasing tempos of production and operations.

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion 

• 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.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $207,453.00-$290,433.15

Other site ranges may differ

Inclusivity Statement

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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

Export Control Regulations

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.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DIBDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.