Senior Principal Spacecraft Design Engineer, Project Sunrise

BLUE ORIGIN

. Lead and own the entire spacecraft design and development, including power, thermal, compute, and communications systems .

Posted 9/28/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $190,458 - $266,641 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in spacecraft design and development, with a strong focus on 3D modeling, structural analysis, and system optimization. Proven ability to lead technical projects and collaborate across engineering teams while managing hands-on design and testing processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

3D ModelingSpacecraft DesignCREO ProficiencyStructural AnalysisProject Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mechanical EngineeringAerospace EngineeringDetailed DesignThermal AnalysisTolerance AnalysisMachine DesignModel Based DefinitionGD&T ExpertiseFEA ToolsSpace Mechanisms Design

Soft Skills

Problem SolvingCollaborationCommunicationIndependent WorkLeadership

Tools & Technologies

CREOANSYSNASTRANAI Tools for Design Optimization

Industry Keywords

Export Control RegulationsVerification and ValidationProduct LifecycleData Center DesignsTrade Studies

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and own the entire spacecraft design and development, including power, thermal, compute, and communications systems
Identify novel solutions to challenging spacecraft engineering problems
Perform hands-on high-complexity design and modeling in CREO
Create detailed 3D models, component specifications, and production-level drawings
Conduct and document trade studies to guide design decisions and optimize system architecture
Perform and guide structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses
Manage engineers while remaining deeply hands-on
Develop and oversee verification and validation test campaigns from component to system level
Collaborate with analysis, manufacturing, and electrical engineering teams
Present design concepts, analysis results, and technical recommendations to program leadership and stakeholders

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of progressive experience in detailed design and analysis of complex mechanical systems
Expert proficiency in 3D modeling and detailed design
Extensive hands-on experience designing, analyzing, and testing space mechanisms
Strong fundamentals in statics, dynamics, materials, and machine design
Proven ability to lead technical projects and work independently with minimal supervision
U.S. citizenship or nationality, U.S. permanent residency, refugee status, or asylum status required under export control regulations
Standard background check required
Preferred: Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
Preferred: Experience leading flight hardware components or systems through the full product lifecycle
Preferred: Hands-on building, assembly, and manufacturing experience
Preferred: Model Based Definition (MBD) experience
Preferred: Familiarity or fluency with AI tools for design optimization or analysis
Preferred: Understanding of data center designs
Preferred: Expertise in GD&T
Preferred: Experience with CREO
Preferred: Experience with FEA tools such as ANSYS or NASTRAN

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on role type, job level, individual contributions, and company results