Technical Project Lead, Ground Systems Development

About the role

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 Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

As part of a dynamic and dedicated team of Mechanical, Structural, and Electrical Engineers and Project Engineers, you will play a crucial role in developing the systems that test rocket engines, components, and integrated space flight vehicles. As the Technical Project Lead, Ground Systems Development, you will be a deep technical expert in high-pressure gas and cryogenic fluid systems and the single point of accountability for a major engine test stand, component test stand, integrated test facility, or production fluid system project, owning the technical solution, cost, and schedule from System Requirement Review (SRR) through Pre-Activation Review (PAR). You will be the technical authority on the project’s fluid architecture and design basis, and you will lead the cross-disciplinary design team with a leadership mindset for driving scope: turning requirements and budget into clearly defined work, delegating with crisp expectations and clear ownership, and holding the team to completion. You will bring hands-on technical credibility and sound judgment to every tradeoff, and you will represent the project with senior leadership, Test Operations, and partner teams. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

• Relocation available
• Up to 25% travel required between facilities and for field operations from the Kent, Washington location
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the technical authority for the project’s fluid architecture and design basis, including high-pressure gas, cryogenic, and propellant systems (LOX, LH2, LNG, LN2, GN2, GHe), and the structural and mechanical interfaces that support them
• Own the project end to end as the single point of accountability for the technical solution, cost, and schedule, from SRR through PAR, for an engine test stand, component test stand, integrated test facility, or production fluid system
• Develop system architectures and design concepts; lead trade studies on line sizing, pressure drop, flow control, valve and regulator selection, tank and run-line configuration, venting, and relief and overpressure protection, and make timely, well-documented technical decisions
• Perform and review fluid system analyses, including steady-state and transient flow, cryogenic chilldown and two-phase behavior, water hammer and surge, cavitation, thermal contraction, and pipe stress, and ensure results are reflected in the design
• Validate engineering designs and assure design integrity through technical authority over P&IDs, system analyses, pipe stress and structural calculations, and release packages prior to release and configuration control in Windchill
• Own the application of technical and safety standards, including ASME B31.3, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), oxygen compatibility and cleanliness standards, proof and leak test requirements, and Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP); approve project-specific interpretations, deviations, and dispositions
• Lead the cross-disciplinary design team of mechanical, structural, and electrical engineers and project engineers assigned to the project; set technical direction and priorities, and hold the team to its commitments
• Break project scope into well-defined work packages and delegate with clear ownership, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and due dates; drive each package to completion with regular, crisp follow-through
• Define and establish the minimum viable design and activation scope needed to meet the project’s test objectives, and ensure that scope is executed to meet customer requirements, cost, and schedule
• Coordinate closely with Data Systems and Control Equipment (DSCE), ground software, CAD drafting, procurement, and Facilities teams to deliver an integrated, fully functional system
• Chair or approve design reviews (SRR, IDR, FDR), build reviews, and activation readiness reviews, and drive PAR readiness, including gating item closure
• Lead anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and recovery plans for non-conformances, schedule slips, and field issues; make real-time technical calls on site during fabrication, installation, activation, and troubleshooting
• Anticipate and mitigate technical, cost, and schedule risk; raise issues early and escalate to leadership with options and a clear recommendation, and communicate project status clearly and candidly to senior leadership, Test Operations, and internal business unit customers
• Mentor, coach, and develop engineers and project engineers at all levels, and drive process improvements and best practices, including engineering definition, eBOM and Windchill practices, and design-to-activation handoff to Test Operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of experience in fluid systems, mechanical systems, test infrastructure, or test operations, including 8+ years of hands-on design of high-pressure gas and cryogenic fluid systems and 5+ years leading a project or design team with accountability for technical solution, cost, and schedule
• Deep technical competency in cryogenic systems, including cryogenic propellants (LOX, LH2, LNG, LN2): vacuum-jacketed and insulated piping, thermal contraction and chilldown, two-phase flow, boil-off, venting, and cryogenic materials and valve selection
• Deep technical competency in high-pressure gas systems, including regulation, pressure control, relief and overpressure protection, and safe design and operation of GN2 and GHe systems
• Strong command of fluid mechanics and system analysis: line sizing, pressure drop, valve Cv and flow control, transient behavior including water hammer and surge, and the ability to hand-check and critically review analysis results
• Advanced-level knowledge of ASME B31.3 and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), including the ability to author project-specific interpretations and deviations
• Knowledge of oxygen compatibility, material selection, and cleanliness requirements for oxidizer and high-purity fluid systems
• Experience seeing a project from requirements through design, build, integration, activation, and commissioning, including leading technical readiness reviews
• Proven ability to delegate effectively: define work packages with clear deliverables and expectations, hold a design team accountable, and drive scope to completion on schedule and within budget
• Experience developing and managing a project budget and schedule, and making sound tradeoffs among technical performance, cost, and schedule
• Demonstrated competency leading HAZOP and PHA processes and integrating safety analysis outputs into design and operational procedures
• Proven track record of mentoring and developing engineers across multiple experience levels and building high-performing teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and present technical, cost, and schedule status at program and executive-level reviews

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced engineering degree
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Background in rocket engine or propulsion component test stand and integrated test facility design and operation
• Experience with liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, or liquid methane/LNG bulk storage, transfer, and run systems
• Experience with propellant handling or propulsion system design and testing
• Experience with pipe stress analysis (e.g., Bentley AutoPipe, CAESAR II), fluid system simulation (e.g., AFT Arrow/Fathom), and static or non-linear FEA (e.g., ANSYS)
• Experience with relief valve and burst disc sizing, and vent, flare, or burn system design
• Experience with PTC Creo/ProEngineer, ProPiping, or AutoCAD Plant/P&ID
• Experience with PLM configuration management tools such as Windchill
• Knowledge of aerospace fluid system cleanliness standards (IEST-STD-CC1246)
• Experience chairing Process Hazard Analysis (HAZOP, FMEA) and managing PSM programs
• Experience leading commissioning, activation, and operational readiness of large-scale test facilities
• Experience working with external contractors on ground-up facility build projects

Base Pay Range for:

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.