Sr. Analytical Chemical Engineer - Orbital Reef Program

$136,467 - $191,054/Yr

Blue Origin - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Seattle, WA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

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. This position is part of the Space Systems Development (SSD) business unit, which develops next-generation concepts and systems to advance our future of living and working in space sustainably. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! As a Senior Analytical Chemical Engineer, you will join a diverse team of engineers and technicians dedicated to the design, installation, modification, analysis, repair, and testing of life support chemicals, analytical equipment, test rigs, and development hardware for the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) System in the Orbital Reef program. Your role will have a direct impact on the future of space exploration, requiring your dedication and attention to detail in ensuring safe space flight. You will contribute to the design and development of essential hardware that allows humans to safely inhabit space, including systems that circulate air, scrub carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, and monitor air quality and emergencies. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of designing, building, testing, and flying ECLS flight hardware, ensuring that the systems are reliable and effective in supporting human life in space. This role emphasizes collaboration across various functions to ensure seamless integration of ECLS systems with other spacecraft subsystems, making your contributions vital to the success of the Orbital Reef program.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of engineering design elements for one or more ECLSS subsystems in various in-space habitats.
• Develop, release, and support engineering artifacts throughout the product lifecycle.
• Implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, and provide expert technical information.
• Research and analyze designs, specifications, manuals, and other data to determine feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements.
• Develop technical solutions and successfully implement development, testing, and analysis to support technology maturation and down-selects.
• Collaborate with teams from different functions to ensure seamless integration of ECLSS systems with other spacecraft subsystems.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or environmental engineering or a related engineering field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of technical experience in designing and analyzing space systems, with a focus on spacecraft or in-space stages.
• At least 2 years of experience leading a team or project.
• Experience across the product life cycle (pre-conceptual design through field support).
• Ability to apply judgment to assess the appropriate level of detail required in an ECLSS System model.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental chemical processes, thermodynamics, and fluid systems.
• Technical expertise in analyzing and designing fluid systems and chemical processes for spacecraft life support or environmental control systems.
• Experience in researching and developing technologies for life support systems in extreme environments.
• Familiarity with hands-on prototyping and design, experiment design, test methods, and general laboratory skills.
• Experience managing and working collaboratively in small teams on fast-paced projects.
• History of developing solutions with partially defined requirements and changing criteria.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.

Nice-to-haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, chemical, physics, or related subject area.
• Experience with aircraft or spacecraft life support/environmental control technologies and architectures.
• Experience designing complex electronic systems combining hardware, firmware, and software.
• Experience in designing important aerospace flight hardware with a focus on safety.
• Exposure to the development of high-reliability, radiation-tolerant, radiation-hardened flight hardware.
• Working knowledge of aerospace materials and treatments.
• Experience with preparing and completing test planning, test readiness reviews, and test conduct.
• Experience with test facility instrumentation and Data Acquisition and Control Systems.
• Ability to cross between analysis and design to build and test activities.
• Strong project management and team leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Creo or other CAD design tools.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, CFD, COMSOL, and other multi-physics modeling tools.

Benefits

• 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%
• Education Support Program
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
• Up to 14 company-paid holidays
• Discretionary bonus designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.