Director, Thermal Systems - Glenn LSA

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 passionate and accomplished team, you will lead the New Glenn (NG) Launch System Architecture (LSA) Thermal Analysis group, supporting the program and launch system throughout its lifecycle, from conceptual design through flight operations and sustaining engineering.

You will set the team’s technical direction, priorities, staffing plans, and standards for analysis quality. Your team will develop and verify component- and vehicle-level thermal environments and performance requirements, including aerothermal environments, rocket plume heating, natural environments, cryogenic fluid systems, insulation, and thermal protection systems.

You will partner with engineering and program leaders to define analysis scope, manage technical risk, and deliver results on schedule. You will also develop team members, manage team performance, oversee technical reviews, and ensure analysis models, inputs, results, reports, and data books are accurate and appropriately maintained.

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical judgment, leadership skills, and a commitment to quality. Your leadership will directly contribute to reliable vehicle performance and safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline.
10 or more years of experience in thermal engineering or thermal analysis.

Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or major technical efforts.

Expertise in thermal analysis methods and modeling tools.

Experience reviewing complex models, assessing results, and guiding technical decisions.

Proven ability to communicate complex technical information, risks, and recommendations to engineering, program, and senior leaders.

Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and drive alignment across organizations without direct authority.

Experience mentoring and developing engineers.

Ability to thrive in a highly dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications Master’s or doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline.
15 or more years of experience in thermal engineering or thermal analysis.

Experience managing an engineering team, including hiring, performance management, and employee development.

Experience analyzing booster, upper-stage, or integrated launch vehicle systems.

Experience analyzing cryogenic fluid systems, aerothermal environments, rocket plume heating, insulation, and thermal protection systems.

Expertise with Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, and ANSYS.Experience using MATLAB, Python, and Git to automate engineering workflows.

Knowledge of three-dimensional CAD tools;
Creo experience is preferred.

Experience supporting design reviews, qualification programs, flight readiness, or anomaly resolution.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $ - $Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired…