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

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of engineers and analysts, you will support thermal and fluid system design across New Glenn spaceflight systems. You will share in the team's impact on these systems across their full lifecycle, from early concept and configuration through flight operations and sustaining engineering.  

This role is analysis-intensive: you will integrate customer-provided payload thermal models and generate thermal predictions for payloads and the payload compartment during launch and ascent, while supporting analysis across all phases of flight. This work includes applying aerothermal, radiative, and natural environments to integrated vehicle thermal models. As the focal point for thermal analysis requests from customers and multiple internal teams, you will define analysis scope, assumptions, and deliverables, and deliver integrated thermal analyses that drive design, verification, and mission decisions. You will build, maintain, and configuration-manage integrated thermal models, inputs, and results, and document your analyses in formal reports and data books. You will also review and critique models and results produced by other engineers and mentor junior team members. 

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

Minimum Qualifications:    

• Minimum of BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering 

• 5 or more years of experience in the fields of thermal or thermodynamic analysis 

• Demonstrated expertise with Thermal Desktop and SINDA/FLUINT 

• Demonstrated experience developing integrated thermal models of space or launch vehicles 

• Experience reviewing and critiquing models and results developed by junior engineers 

• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications:   

• MS or PhD degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering 

• 10 or more years of experience in the fields of thermal or thermodynamic analysis 

• Demonstrated expertise with ANSYS Mechanical APDL 

• Experience analyzing satellites, spacecraft, and/or launch vehicle upper stage systems 

• Experience with payload integration, including payload thermal model exchange and interface requirements 

• Demonstrated ability to automate analysis workflows using MATLAB and/or Python, with Git for version control 

• Working knowledge of 3D CAD tools (Creo preferred) 

 

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $133,500.00 - $186,898.95 WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture 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 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.

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 (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 (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

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 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.

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.