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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

In this role, you would directly impact the history of space exploration, and your dedicated commitment and attention to detail would further the cause of safe and repeatable spaceflight for Blue Origin’s next-generation Lunar Landers. This is a chance to leave your fingerprints on the history of crewed spaceflight.

As a Solar Array Development Engineer, you will own the process development of solar arrays for space missions, from concept and development to manufacturing. The engineer is ultimately responsible for delivering a process that can survive the space environment while being high yield and manufacturable.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop advanced solar array systems for space vehicles.
• Take lead on solar cell interconnection design and implement the processes, from concept to manufacturing, ensuring high standards of quality and timely delivery despite technical and logistical challenges.
• Support risk analyses, failure modes effects and criticality analyses (FMECA), design for test/manufacture/cost (DFx), and root-cause analysis of test discrepancies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and refine design specifications, always aiming for operational excellence and innovation.
• Foster a collaborative environment, embracing diverse viewpoints to spur innovation and maintain a cohesive, mission-driven team dynamic.
• Maintain an unwavering commitment to learning and improvement, willingly seeking and integrating feedback for personal and team growth.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex project requirements and achieve exceptional outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of following through on commitments and achieving goals.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to articulate technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• 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.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the solar panel product lifecycle.
• Familiarity with solar panel thermal cycling fatigue failure mechanisms.
• Familiarity with typical space solar cell interconnect designs and methods (e.g., parallel gap resistance welding, soldering, surface mounting).
• Familiar with the challenges of the space environment (e.g., radiation, UV, vacuum) and associated degradation mechanisms.
• Familiarity with typical solar panel adhesives, (e.g., EVA, silicones)
• Experience with manufacturing tooling and jig creation
• Proficiency with common drafting software (e.g., CREO, Autocad, Solidworks).
• Proficiency with common electrical engineering design and simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, Simscape, STK).

Desired:

• Our ideal candidate is someone who not only excels in the design and development of both rigid and flexible solar array systems for space vehicles but also demonstrates a profound commitment to our bold mission.
• Advanced graduate degree in Engineering or related disciplines.
• 5+ years of experience in space solar array systems design, development, and test.
• Familiarity with solar array standards such as AIAA or equivalent ESA.
• Familiarity with NASA electronics manufacturing standards such as NASA-STD-8739.3 and NASA-STD-8739.4.
• Familiarity with NASA polymeric application in electronics manufacturing standards such as NASA-STD-8739.1.
• Detailed understanding of space solar array design, manufacturing, and testing including cell selection, CIC stringing and laydown, panel and wing assembly, and acceptance and qualification testing.
• Experience across the full product development lifecycle: concept definition, architecture, requirements capture and development, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification, and release.
• Detailed knowledge of electrical power generation using photovoltaic devices including III-V and silicon solar cells

 

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $156,910.50-$219,674.70;CO applicants is $144,277.88-$201,989.03;WA applicants is $156,910.50-$219,674.70

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

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.

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” 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 [email protected].

California Applicant Privacy Notice

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