Mecha Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: Los Angeles

Compensation: $145,188 - 203,263 USD / year

Job Tags: Hardware

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.

We invite you to be a part of our Space Resources Program. This initiative is at the forefront of developing In‑Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies, destined for the Moon and beyond. If you're passionate about our mission and are looking to make a meaningful contribution, you might just be the ideal candidate to join our innovative, and forward‑thinking team.

In this hands‑on role, you will be based entirely on‑site at our Los Angeles facility, collaborating closely with the Space Resources Program team. You will be owning critical electromechanical system design decisions, from requirements definition through detailed design, analysis, and test. You will lead the design and integration of complex electromechanical assemblies for extreme thermal, dynamic, and pressure environments including high‑temperature and molten material applications. You will drive credible technical calls with incomplete data, partner with thermal and systems leads to rapidly converge on robust, producible solutions leveraging advanced materials and manufacturing processes, and champion hardware testing to retire critical risks. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative environment, excels at communicating complex technical challenges, and is comfortable balancing technical risk, schedule pressure, and evolving program needs while mentoring and elevating the broader engineering team.

Responsibilities:

• Own electromechanical systems end‑to‑end from concept through production, including integrated schedule development and risk retirement through focused hardware testing in extreme environments.
• Drive technical leadership across design reviews, supplier partnerships, and production teams to ensure manufacturability and alignment with project objectives.
• Design integrated electromechanical solutions leveraging advanced materials (ceramics, exotic metals) for extreme thermal, dynamic, and pressure environments, including high‑temperature and molten material applications.
• Conduct comprehensive engineering analysis (thermal, structural, tolerance, and failure mode analysis) using both analytical methods and finite element analysis to validate performance.
• Develop detailed technical documentation including 3D models, production drawings, and design specifications optimized for machining and assembly in vacuum and inert gas environments.
• Communicate complex technical challenges and solutions effectively across cross‑functional teams, suppliers, and leadership to drive informed decision‑making.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing with 2+ years of hands‑on project leadership experience with complex mechanical systems.
• Proficient with CAD and FEA software packages (thermal, structural, and advanced nonlinear analyses) with strong capability in hand calculations and computer‑aided design.
• Working knowledge of GD&T with demonstrated application in design and tolerance stack‑up analysis.
• Proven experience designing thermal components for extreme temperature environments with demonstrated capability in thermal analysis and management of thermally‑induced stresses.
• Solid understanding of structural analysis, failure modes, and root cause investigation.
• Working experience in vacuum and/or inert gas environments with knowledge of advanced materials (ceramics, exotic metals, specialty alloys) and their application.
• Excellent technical communication skills; able to articulate complex engineering challenges and solutions to wide audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in agile, fast‑paced development environment.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior engineers while elevating overall team capability and performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Working experience with CREO CAD software and ANSYS Mechanical for thermal and structural analysis.
• Demonstrated experience designing large‑scale mechanical ground systems, mechanisms, and GSE (Ground Support Equipment).
• Experience with fatigue and thermal testing of electromechanical assemblies.
• Proven track record working on early‑stage, deep tech hardware development with demonstrated ability to scale products from early development through industrialization.
• Exposure to industrial applications with focus on design for manufacturability, cost optimization, and high‑volume production.
• Advanced experience designing for extreme thermal environments and vacuum applications.
• Self‑motivated with strong organizational and communication skills (written and oral).

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other site ranges may differ.

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 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 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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).
• 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.

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 workforce. 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.