Solar Development Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

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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!

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will lead the mechanical engineering discipline within Blue Origin's Solar Center of Excellence-a team dedicated to revolutionizing how we design, build, and deploy solar power systems for space. From enabling in-space mobility and logistics to supporting sustainable operations beyond Earth, the Solar Center of Excellence is developing next-generation solar array technology that will dramatically reduce cost while achieving unprecedented levels of performance. In this role, you will shape the mechanical engineering strategy for structures and mechanisms across our entire solar portfolio, helping to establish the power infrastructure that will support humanity's future in space. If you are passionate about leading teams, building flight hardware, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 20% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading and managing a team of mechanical engineers responsible for structures and mechanisms design across all Solar Center of Excellence (SCOE) programs - both current and emerging projects
• Providing technical oversight for solar array deployment mechanism development
• Serving as the Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead for all mechanical engineering scope, driving cross-functional coordination and technical execution
• Driving design standardization for mechanical interfaces, planform sizes, and deployment systems across Blue Origin programs to reduce non-recurring engineering costs and accelerate development timelines
• Collaborating with Operations, Facilities, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless transition of mechanical designs from prototype to full-rate production
• Establishing and maintaining aggressive cost and performance targets for deployment mechanisms while ensuring flight reliability
• Leading hardware assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities for complex deployable mechanisms
• Managing mechanical design trade studies to optimize mass, specific power, and cost for solar array systems
• Overseeing verification and validation (V&V) planning and execution for mechanical hardware and mechanisms
• Supporting supplier engagement and qualification for specialized mechanical components, tooling, and fixtures
• Managing resource planning, hiring, performance management, and career development for mechanical engineering staff
• Mentoring and developing junior engineers, fostering technical growth across the team
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to feed forward lessons learned from prototype lines into full-rate manufacturing planning

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 8-12 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering, with emphasis on aerospace structures and mechanisms for spaceflight applications
• Demonstrated hands-on experience as a hardware lead for complex deployable mechanisms or flight hardware assemblies
• Experience taking mechanical hardware from design through assembly, integration, test, qualification, and flight delivery
• Track record of leading verification and validation (V&V) activities for flight hardware or systems
• Working knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and quality systems
• Strong understanding of structural analysis methods and mechanical testing requirements for spaceflight hardware
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing and operations teams to transition designs to production
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and compressed timelines
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present technical information to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Space Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience with deployable space structures, separation systems, or precision mechanism hardware for interplanetary or orbital missions
• Background in design-for-manufacturing and design-for-cost methodologies
• Experience establishing and scaling engineering teams in a rapid-growth environment
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles and fault management considerations for mechanical systems
• Experience mentoring or instructing engineers in technical fundamentals and engineering best practices
• Prior experience in a Center of Excellence or shared services engineering organization supporting multiple programs simultaneously

Base Pay Range for:

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