Aerospace Systems Engineer III (Structures & Mechanisms) - Lunar Permanence

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 is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

Applies broad multi-disciplinary engineering (mechanical and electrical/electronic) knowledge, skills, and methods as well as computer/software systems to design and engineer overall systems infrastructure including engineering, implementation and integration, and technical services and support. Designs, implements, installs, maintains, and administers infrastructures including hardware, software, and various configurations. Monitors overall performance to proactively identify potential issues and tune them appropriately. Performs root cause analysis on failed components and implements corrective measures. Works with others to establish and improve processes and procedures.

Blue Origin is seeking an Aerospace Systems Engineer III to support our Lunar program with a focus on Structures & Mechanisms. This role owns system/subsystem requirements, interfaces, integration execution, and verification closure for structural and mechanical elements of lunar flight hardware. You will partner with Structures, Mechanisms, Avionics, Thermal, GN&C, Propulsion, Manufacturing, and Test/Verification to ensure the integrated vehicle meets lunar mission objectives across launch, transit, descent/ascent, landing operations, and lunar surface environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, decompose, allocate, and manage requirements for structural and mechanical subsystems; maintain end-to-end traceability to lunar mission objectives and program-level requirements.
• Define and control interfaces (ICDs) across mechanical/electrical/software/ops boundaries, including vehicle-to-payload and vehicle-to-ground/support equipment interfaces.
• Plan and execute subsystem/system integration for structures and mechanisms; coordinate across design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, and test to deliver flight-ready hardware.
• Interface with the Verification team to define verification strategies and methods (test/analysis/inspection/similarity), author and approve verification plans/procedures, and drive verification closure with clear objective evidence.
• Ensure design and verification approaches address lunar environments and operational constraints (thermal extremes, dust/regolith considerations, vacuum, launch loads, landing loads/shock, reliability/operability).
• Lead/participate in anomaly investigations and FRACAS activities; perform root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Support technical reviews and readiness milestones (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/FRR), presenting requirements status, verification status, risks, and interface readiness.
• Improve systems engineering processes (requirements quality, configuration/change control, verification workflow, interface management).

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of aerospace systems engineering experience (requirements, integration, and verification) supporting flight hardware.
• Experience working structures and/or mechanisms (e.g., primary/secondary structure, landing gear, deployment systems, latches, actuators, separation systems).
• Demonstrated experience interfacing with V&V teams and driving verification planning and closure.
• Proficiency with requirements/configuration tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, Windchill, or equivalent).
• Strong cross-functional communication and ability to drive technical alignment across multiple disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with spacecraft or lunar lander development and verification (qualification/acceptance flows, structural test, correlation of analysis-to-test).
• Familiarity with NASA-style systems engineering/verification practices and technical review gates.
• Experience with FMEA/FRACAS, risk management, and flight readiness certification.
• Experience with contamination control/operability concerns relevant to lunar surface mechanisms.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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 (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