Mechanism Design Engineer III - Spokane

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 an ...

Job 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  

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will be one of the designers working on end-to-end development of deployable solar array mechanisms that power our ambitious vision, balancing tight packaging, mass, and reliability constraints. This is your opportunity to work on cutting-edge space hardware, helping write the next chapter of space infrastructure. You will help define deployment architectures and validation strategies, using analysis, prototyping, and environmental testing to prove performance in the space environment. You will drive rapid design-build-test cycles to burn down risk quickly and drive the design maturity. You will make data‑driven design and material choices that meet cleanliness and compatibility standards, coordinate interfaces across structural, thermal, and electrical disciplines, maintain configuration integrity, and drive rapid issue resolution to deliver flight‑ready hardware.

Special Mentions:

• Travel expected up to 15% of the time

• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and develop components and subsystems for deployable mechanisms. 

• Participate in the full design cycle for flight hardware, including contributing to trade studies, conceptual and detailed design, structural analysis, and development testing. 

• Build and test hands-on prototypes to mature designs on fast-moving research and development projects. 

• Perform analysis for mechanism systems, including kinematic studies, motor/spring/gear sizing, tolerance stacks, and structural checks. 

• Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles to help reduce cost and meet production schedules. 

• Generate component and assembly drawings 

• Support testing of flight hardware, including thermal vacuum, modal, vibration, and functional deployment tests. 

• Collaborate in a cross-disciplinary R&D environment to ensure designs are fully integrated with other subsystems. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering discipline (Mechanical or Aerospace preferred). 

• 5+ years of relevant experience in mechanical or mechanism design. 

• Experience designing and building mechanical hardware. 

• Demonstrated hands-on prototyping and testing experience. 

• Proficiency in mechanical design using 3D modeling tools (CREO preferred). 

• Understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and experience performing tolerance stack analysis. 

• Experience with standard manufacturing processes, assembly, integration, and hardware verification/qualification testing. 

• Desire/Drive to learn new skills and technical tools as project develops. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with deployable structures, such as solar arrays or antennas. 

• Familiarity with designing hardware for space or other harsh environments. 

• Familiarity with aerospace mechanism design practices (e.g., NASA-STD

• Experience with composite materials in design. 

• Knowledge of material, coating, lubricant, and bearing selection for vacuum environments. 

• Experience using finite element analysis tools for static and dynamic analysis. 

• Experience with setting up tests, using data acquisition systems, and processing test data. 

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $121, $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  Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.