Pyrotechnic Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

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.
We are hiring a Responsible Engineer (RE) and Single-Threaded Leader (STL) for the Interstage Adapter Assembly (ISA) separation system on New Glenn Gen 2 (9x4 configuration). This person will own the full technical scope of the Gen 2 ISA separation system - from requirements through design, analysis, test, qualification, and flight certification. They will be the single point of accountability for separation system performance on the 9x4 vehicle and will lead a cross-functional team of analysts, designers, test engineers, and manufacturing engineers to deliver flight-certified hardware for Gen 2's first flight and beyond.
Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected as needed, up to 30% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment
• Strong preference to hire in Kent, WA

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Technical Ownership of jettison system for the Interstage Adapter:

• Separation system architecture - frangible joint, linear shaped charge (LSC), or similar release mechanism, initiation
  system, redundancy scheme, and separation plane definition
• Pusher / kick-off system - pneumatic or pyrotechnic pushers providing post-separation relative
  velocity; force-time profile specification and hardware selection
• Shock attenuation & management - defining shock isolation strategies for ISA-mounted
  components; specifying SRS environments at equipment interfaces
• Separation sequencing requirements - defining timing, ordnance firing sequences, and GNC
  interface requirements for stage separation
• Structural interface - separation plane joint design, ensuring structural integrity under all flight load cases prior to separation

Lifecycle Ownership of all aspects of the Jettison System:

• Requirements - derive separation system requirements from vehicle-level specs (separation velocity,
  tip-off rate limits, shock limits, clearance envelopes, reliability)
• Design - lead trade studies and architecture decisions; own the separation system design solution
  and drawing tree
• Analysis - oversee explicit dynamics simulation (LS-DYNA), shock propagation analysis, structural
  margins, and environments definition; review and approve analyst work
• Test - define qualification and acceptance test requirements; own test success criteria; lead test
  readiness reviews (TRR) and test anomaly resolution
• Qualification - drive separation system qual program to completion; manage qual status and open
  work through certification gates
• Production - support manufacturing readiness; define acceptance criteria for flight hardware;
  disposition nonconformances on separation system components
• Flight operations - support vehicle integration in Florida; own separation system constraints in
  countdown and flight rules; support post-flight data review

Cross-Functional Leadership (STL Role)

• Lead a virtual team of 3-6 engineers (dynamics analysts, mechanical designers, test engineers, M&P
  engineers) without direct reports - influence through technical authority
• Coordinate across GNC, Avionics, Propulsion, and Flight Software for separation event sequencing
  and interface definition
• Interface with GS1 Recovery team on post-separation booster state and refurbishment requirements
• Drive decisions at design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, QR) and represent separation systems at vehicle level
  review boards
• Own the separation system schedule - identify long-lead items, qual risks, and critical path
  activities; escalate blockers proactively
• Represent separation systems in launch certification (CDR, PFDR) - defend readiness with data

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 5 years of experience in aerospace structural/mechanical systems, with at least 3 years in a
  Responsible Engineer or technical lead role
• Direct experience with separation systems: frangible joints, linear shaped charges, hold-down release mechamism, marman clamps,
  V-band clamps, or pyrotechnic severance devices
• Strong understanding of pyrotechnic shock environments - generation, propagation, specification,
  and attenuation
• Experience owning hardware through the full lifecycle: requirements → design → analysis → test →
  qual → flight
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority - driving alignment
  across structures, dynamics, GNC, avionics, and operations
• Experience with qualification testing of ordnance or separation systems, including test specification
  development and anomaly resolution
• Fluency in engineering analysis methods (FEA, explicit dynamics, or structural test) sufficient to direct
  analysts and critically review their work
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems (Windchill or equivalent) for design data management and
  engineering release
• Track record of closing technical problems end-to-end - not just identifying issues, but driving
  them to verified resolution
• Strong written and verbal communication - ability to present to leadership and defend technical
  positions at review boards
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Structural Dynamics
• Direct experience with launch vehicle stage separation specifically (Atlas, Delta, Vulcan, Falcon, or similar)
• Familiarity with LS-DYNA or equivalent explicit dynamics tools (Abaqus/Explicit, AUTODYN) -
  sufficient to guide modeling strategy even if not running daily
• Experience managing ordnance/pyrotechnic safety programs (AFSPCMAN 91-710 or equivalent)
• Background in shock isolation design (isolators, attenuators, structural filtering) for sensitive
  equipment protection
• Experience with New Glenn or similar heavy-lift vehicle programs
• History of supporting launch certification gates (CDR, FRR, PFDR)
• Familiarity with booster reuse requirements and how they constrain separation system design
• Experience with mission assurance requirements (NASA-STD-5001 or equivalent)

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $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.
• 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.

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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.