Principal Structural Analyst

Overview

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will oversee and perform structural analysis for structures and systems on the fully reusable booster stage of New Glenn, in support of its full life cycle, including development, production, operations, qualification and certification. You will take ownership of the structural analysis and verification activities for vehicle design to improve vehicle safety, reliability, performance, and reduce costs.

You will also support the disposition and repair development for manufacturing non-conformance and service damage. As a Principal Analyst, you will also coach, mentor, and technically guide other team members.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform detailed hand calculations and FEM analysis of primary and secondary aerospace structures and systems
• Document stress analysis to support release of engineering drawings / documents
• Possess a deep understanding of repair methods and analytical practices for both composite and metallic structure
• Generate test and verification plans and reports
• Provide technical guidance on design concepts (risk vs. cost vs. performance)
• Supporting cross organizational teams with input for production activities and configuration development
• Provide analysis oversight and mentorship of designers and structural analysts in stress/stability/fracture analysis and best practices
• Improve enterprise analysis capabilities such as creating process automation tools for model creation, strength checks, and analysis report generation
• Lead technical presentations and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Participate in anomaly resolution and failure investigation efforts
• Support the design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and qualification of new flight hardware
• Ensure compliance with company, industry, and regulatory requirements and standards

• Minimum of a B.S. degree or higher in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in analysis of aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures
• Ability to generate innovative solutions and understand the balance between engineering judgment and analysis rigor and when each is appropriate
• Expert knowledge of finite element analysis, including experience with one or more of:
  Nastran, Optistrut, Ansys, Abaqus, LS-Dyna
• Knowledge of engineering materials and their applications to achieve optimal structures
• Strong experience with classical and aerospace analysis methods (Bruhn, Niu, Roark, Blodgett, Shigley, etc.)
• Analysis of composite and/or metallic structures (sandwich panels, skin-stringer, fittings, etc.)
• Analysis of stability critical structures (local buckling phenomenon, global buckling, crippling)
• Experience with development and/or qualification testing (test requirements, setup/configuration, test predictions, test conduct/monitoring, etc.)
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across a varied team

• Experience with loads development, especially fatigue spectrum development
• Experience with fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Experience analyzing fluid and mechanical system components, actuators, tubes, valves, etc.
• Experience with analyzing / dispositioning manufacturing non-conformances
• Experience automating analysis with one or more of:
  Python, VBA, MATLAB, APDL
• Familiarity with composite failure modes and standard test methods (in-plane, interlaminar, shear, fracture, etc.)

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.

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.

• Required for all…