Propulsion 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!  

We are seeking a talented and motivated Mid-Level Fluid Controls Engineer to join our passionate engine fluid controls team — and we're specifically looking for someone with an eye toward growing into a project management leadership role. In this position, you will blend hands-on technical ownership with meaningful cross-functional coordination, giving you a powerful foundation to develop project management skills that will define the next phase of your career.

You will own valve component designs from concept through qualification, while also taking on increasing responsibility for coordinating development timelines, aligning cross-functional stakeholders, and mentoring junior engineers. This role is intentionally structured to prepare high-performing engineers for a project management career track within one of the most exciting aerospace companies in the world.

Components you may be responsible for include: solenoid valves, pneumatically actuated valves, check valves, cryogenic valves, and pressurized fluid systems.

Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Engineering

• Own valve component and assembly designs from concept development through qualification, ensuring designs meet rigorous safety, reliability, and performance standards
• Apply strong fundamentals in propulsion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural analysis to drive sound design decisions
• Examine non-conforming hardware and develop effective technical resolutions in a timely manner
• Oversee component testing, both standalone and within engine hot fire test environments, ensuring compliance with design requirements and goals
• Utilize CAD tools and GD&T practices to develop precise, manufacturable hardware designs

Project Coordination & Cross-Functional Leadership (Core to Career Track)

• Coordinate development activities across program leaders, systems engineers, suppliers, and test groups to align on architecture selections and design solutions — serving as a key integration point across teams
• Manage project timelines and deliverables for assigned valve and mechanism development efforts, tracking progress against milestones and proactively identifying and mitigating schedule or technical risks
• Lead stakeholder communication by preparing and presenting design status updates, technical reviews, and project health reports to program leadership
• Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to manage component procurement, track deliverables, and resolve issues — building direct experience in vendor management and supply chain coordination
• Support design-to-production transitions, partnering with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure smooth handoffs and production readiness
• Define and refine best practices for engine valves and mechanisms, driving process improvements that increase team efficiency — a direct analogue to continuous improvement frameworks used in formal project management

Mentorship & Team Leadership

• Mentor and guide junior engineers through development approaches, design techniques, and problem-solving methods
• Foster a collaborative, safety-first team culture consistent with Blue Origin's core values
• Contribute to building a high-performing team environment that supports individual growth and project success

Required Qualifications:

• Passion for Blue Origin's mission: Millions of people living and working in space
• B.S. degree in an engineering discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Physics preferred)
• 5+ years of professional engineering experience with valves, fluid control systems, and/or mechanisms, including rocket or jet engine experience
• Demonstrated experience coordinating across multiple teams or stakeholders in a technical program or project setting
• Strong technical fundamentals in propulsion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural analysis
• Strong knowledge of hardware design processes and fabrication techniques related to valves
• Experience examining and resolving non-conforming hardware
• Proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with data analysis and data processing
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and coordination skills — essential for effective project management
• 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:

Technical

• Advanced degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience designing products for cryogenic fluid environments
• Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic valve design, test, and manufacturing
• Experience with Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5 or greater and Windchill 10
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
• Experience with production quality management systems
• Experience transitioning products from development to production

Project Management-Oriented

• PMP certification or active pursuit of PMP certification
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid project management methodologies
• Experience in vendor management and supplier relationship oversight
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews, manage meeting cadences, and drive decisions across stakeholders
• Experience using project tracking tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project, or similar)
• Any prior experience in a project lead, technical lead, or deputy program role — even informally — is a strong differentiator

Compensation Range for:

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.