Senior Manager, Blue Ring Structures & Analysis

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!  

This role is within the In-Space Systems Structures & Mechanisms Integrated Product Team, supporting Blue Ring, a high-powered hybrid solar electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft designed for unparalleled mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at significantly reduced costs. It provides comprehensive capabilities for maneuvering, hosting, and deploying payloads and infrastructure services across Earth orbits, the Moon, Mars, interplanetary regions, and near-Earth asteroids.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will lead and manage the team responsible for the structural integrity and dynamic analysis of the Blue Ring spacecraft. This key leadership role will advance the future of the Blue Ring platform by developing and applying innovations across multiple configurations and mission profiles. We are looking for a leader with a strong background in mechanical analysis and/or Loads & Dynamics. You will be responsible for building and leading the engineering team to meet program demands, ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable hardware that meets stringent requirements. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 5% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Recruit, hire, manage, and mentor a diverse and inclusive team of engineers responsible for Blue Ring structures engineering (design and analysis), vehicle mechanical analysis, and Loads & Dynamics.
• Manage your direct reports’ professional development (e.g., performance reviews, compensation and promotion management, routine one-on-one development conversations) and provide general guidance.
• Direct and guide the team in the development of primary and secondary structures, ensuring designs meet technical requirements, schedule, and budget obligations.
• Oversee the generation and communication of structural loads to support the development and integration of the space vehicle, mission equipment, and payloads.
• Lead the development and anchoring of system and component loads, including modeling, simulation, and verification of all ground and flight regimes.
• Guide the team in Finite Element Model development, validation, and correlation to test data.
• Own the business rhythm and communication paths to program leadership, including business reviews, financial forecasting, and project deep dives.
• Develop and maintain product roadmaps, working with internal and external customers to understand how your team's capabilities integrate to meet current and future mission needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering.
• 5+ years of experience leading technical teams and/or functional groups.
• 8+ years of relevant industry experience in structural analysis and/or Loads & Dynamics.
• Broad knowledge of space vehicle systems and how they impact structural and mechanical design.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 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

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering field.
• Direct experience with spacecraft & launch vehicle loads development and verification.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams responsible for structural dynamics, including vibroacoustic analysis, shock, and modal testing.
• Experience leading the development of large structural analysis models and generating Craig-Bampton models.
• Experience with dynamic (modal) testing and correlation of structures.
• Proficiency with commercial software tools such as: HYPERMESH, ANSYS, NASTRAN (including DMAP), Python, MATLAB, LS-DYNA, and ADAMS.
• Experience with critical path scheduling, IMP/IMS, risk management, and Cost Account Management such as Earned Value Management.
• Experience managing subcontracts and external vendors.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Base Pay 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, 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.