Reliability Engineer III in Washington, District of Columbia at Blue Origin

Title: Reliability Engineer III

Location: Greater Seattle Area | Space Coast, FL | Huntsville, AL | Denver, CO | Los Angeles, CA

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R64478

Description:

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! 

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

As part of a hardworking team of spacecraft specialty and systems engineers, you will be the lead Reliability Engineer supporting spacecraft development during formulation phase. In this role, you will establish reliability frameworks, influence design decisions, and ensure mission success criteria are met from concept through preliminary design. You will work cross-functionally with systems engineers, mission designers, and subsystem leads to embed reliability best practices at the earliest stages of spacecraft development. You will work with program engineers to design and verify reliable space systems for the Blue National Security Business Unit in the Blue Ring satellite product line.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the legacy of Blue National Security. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 20% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performing reliability predictions on mechanical and electrical components

• Lead reliability analyses during concept definition and formulation phases, including:
  • Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA / FMECA)
  • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
  • Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD)
  • Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA)
• Define reliability requirements and allocate reliability budgets across spacecraft subsystems
• Develop and maintain the Reliability Program Plan in alignment with program milestones (SRR, SDR, PDR)
• Assess component- and system-level reliability using quantitative methods; maintain reliability predictions using standards such as MIL-HDBK-217, NPRD, or equivalent
• Collaborate with systems engineers to perform trades studies that balance reliability, mass, cost, and schedule
• Identify and drive mitigation strategies for single-point failures and critical failure modes
• Support development of test strategies and verification approaches to demonstrate reliability requirements
• Contribute to risk registers and support program-level risk management activities
• Interface with suppliers and component engineers to assess part-level reliability and selection

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering or other major requiring engineering or mathematical core courses
• 5+ years working in a reliability role in a design, integration or operational environment
• Proven experience with reliability/life test design (failure modes discovery, life demonstration, and screening),
• Experience with FMEA, FTA, and reliability modeling tools
• Familiarity with spacecraft development process and lifecycle phases
• Experience with failure rate prediction for electrical components and circuit card assemblies (e.g., MIL-HDBK-217F, 217Plus, or similar)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly to differing audiences
• 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

• Experience in early-phase / formulation spacecraft or satellite programs
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD reliability standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1629, NASA-STD-8729, ECSS-Q-ST-30)
• Experience with probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) or Monte Carlo methods
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) designation from ASQ
• Knowledge of space environments and their effects on component reliability (radiation, thermal cycling, vacuum)
• Experience working in an Agile or Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Active US Government Top Secret/SCI clearance

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85WA 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

• 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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.