Title: Propulsion Engineer III

Location: Greater Seattle Area

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R63778

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 a member of the TeraWave propulsion team, you will play a foundational role in the development of the Hall thruster-based propulsion systems that maneuver the TeraWave constellation satellites as well as the propulsion team itself. TeraWave is a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

As a Propulsion Engineer III, you will support the development of the Hall thruster’s hollow cathode assembly from concept to production. You will own the technical design, product requirements, concept of operations, and maturation plans for the hollow cathode. You will provide technical guidance and requirements for propulsion team members to ensure design, test, and build efforts are aligned with development of a high-quality Hall thruster system that can be produced at high rates and low costs. Successful candidates will utilize their experience in Hall thruster system development and production to complete technological development that will enable high-rate production as well as use that experience to lead and mentor junior team members. A preferred candidate will have experience in Hall thruster development and production at the system-level with working knowledge of the interfaces to upstream subsystems such as the propellant feed system, propellant tank, power processing unit, and associated vehicle interactions.

If you share our passion for propulsion system development and testing, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross-functional teams of board individuals, are experienced and skilled in several relevant areas listed below, continuously seek out opportunities to learn and improve, and do not allow title or job description to limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, then we would love to hear from you.

Special Considerations

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Executes and supports development of the overall plan for the development of a low-cost and highly produceable Hall thruster hollow cathode.
• Plans and leads initiatives in support of the Hall thruster (including the cathode) technology definition and development.
• Responsible for the overall design architecture of a Hall thruster hollow cathode and interfaces .
• Provides product definition and requirements for mechanical design, test, and manufacturing propulsion team members.
• Develops hollow cathode verification and validation test and analysis plans.
• Carries out design trade studies to inform on the development of the Hall thruster and its technology.
• Collaborates with other subsystem team members, in particular feed system and power electronics engineers, for the development of other propulsion system components
• Collaborates with SW and vehicle teams to ensure consistency in concept of operations for the Hall thruster in ground test and in flight.
• Collaborates with mechanical, manufacturing, and test teams and supports thruster design/test/manufacturing reviews with technical insight on cathode operation and design considerations.
• Leads continuous improvements and optimization efforts of the Hall thruster system throughout development and production.
• Conduct and draw conclusions from development testing in support of the propulsion system’s iterative design, build, and test loop.
• Technical contributions to the growth of the team through assisting in hiring, identifying team skill gaps, and mentoring junior team members.
• Design, procure, assemble, and operate propulsion development test facilities for system and subsystem-level tests.
• Lead root cause investigations and resolve non-conformances related to the cathode and Hall thruster production and/or performance.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a master’s degree in engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 5+ years of related experience (including graduate work) in the design, development, and flight of electric propulsion systems, and at least 3 years specifically related to Hall thrusters (including cathodes).
• Functional knowledge of common electric propulsion test equipment (power supplies, data acquisition systems, pump systems, motion stages, DMMs, etc.) and test SW used to control, automate, and monitor their use (Python, LabView, Grafana, TestStand, etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, engineering industry standards, and technical requirements.
• Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.
• Proven experience in the electric propulsion development lifecycle.
• Strong safety demeanor and experience, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations.
• An understanding of low-cost and high-rate manufacturing and acceptance testing
• Experience conducting thermal, vibration, shock, and/or vacuum testing on flight hardware in accordance with MIL-STD-810, SMC-S-016, and MIL-STD-1540.
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

Desired:

• Successful candidates in this role typically have 10+ years in the design, development, and flight of electric propulsion systems
• Working understanding of vehicle interactions and impacts of operating a Hall thruster in flight.
• Experience with analytical and scripting tools: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, or C++.
• Leadership or management experience as well as a history of mentoring.
• Ph.D in a field and with a thesis topic relevant to the development of Hall thrusters or hollow cathodes.

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

• 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.

• 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.