Thermal Protection Systems Engineer II

Company: Blue Origin
Location: Seattle
Posted on: May 3, 2025

Job Description:

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!This position is part of the Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering business unit. ACE develops next-generation concepts and systems to advance our future of living and working in space sustainably.We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. 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.This individual will use their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to join our team and positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.This is a job that requires you to be a hands-on, highly collaborative, and energetic individual who always welcomes a challenge. You are motivated to do or learn whatever is necessary to achieve our goals while maintaining the high standards essential for safe human spaceflight. At Blue Origin, you'll benefit from working alongside highly skilled and technically proficient colleagues who are eager to share their knowledge and help you succeed. Passion for our mission and vision is required, and you'll have the support of our expert team to grow and excel in your role!This opportunity will report to the Thermal Protection Systems Team as part of the advance concepts team. As part of a growing, hardworking, and curious team of design engineers, you'll be deployed to programs that shape the future of Blue Origin. Your skill in the design and analysis of Thermal Protection Systems as well as your ability to deliver safe, reliable, ready to install hardware that meets requirements, while doing so within theallocatedcost and schedule requirements, will lead to a rewarding career with Blue Origin.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and qualify advanced Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials for reusable launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, structures, manufacturing, and test teams to optimize TPS materials and processes for manufacturability, performance, and cost.
• Lead material characterization, process development, and qualification activities for ablative, insulative, and reusable TPS materials.
• Author and execute test plans for material property validation, including thermal, mechanical, and environmental testing.
• Support root-cause analysis and resolution of technical challenges related to TPS material failures or process deviations.
• Generate material specifications, process documentation, and support configuration management for flight products.
• Interface with suppliers for raw material selection, processing methods, and quality assurance.
• Stay current with advancements in TPS technologies and aerospace materials, recommending improvements and new technologies as appropriate.
• Present technical results, risks, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external customers.Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 2+ years of experience with TPS material development, composite materials, or high-temperature aerospace materials and processes.
  • Working knowledge of TPS material systems such as ablatives, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, insulators, and/or coatings.
  • Experience with material characterization and laboratory testing (thermal analysis, TGA/DSC, SEM, etc.).
  • Hands-on experience with process development, scale-up, and manufacturing of aerospace materials.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, and process documentation.
  • Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Excel) for experimental results interpretation.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • 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.
  • Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusionPreferred Qualifications:
    • Knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification testingof spacecraft TPS elements.
    • Experience with extreme environments materials development.
    • Experience specifying and justifying thermal margins and test sequences for aerospace materials systems.
    • Demonstrated track record in the full lifecycle management of TPS components and subsystems within Aerospace or a related field.
    • Experience in component modeling and thermal analysis.Compensation Range for:CO applicants is $88,284.00-$123,597.60;WA applicants is $96,310.00-$134,833.65Other site ranges may differInclusivity StatementDon'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 RegulationsApplicants 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 (DBIDS) 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 OpportunityBlue 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 .Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants 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.California Applicant Privacy NoticeIf you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice .

Keywords: Blue Origin, Everett , Thermal Protection Systems Engineer II, Other , Seattle, Washington