Senior Nuclear Engineer Formulation

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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 position is part of the Space Systems Development (SSD) business unit. SSD develops next-generation concepts and systems to advance our future of living and working in space sustainably.

As part of a passionate and hardworking team of engineers you will help define the nuclear portfolio of propulsion and power systems for in space and lunar applications. You will help guide multi-disciplinary teams to align the engine and power system architecture with customer and company strategies products and technology maturation plans.

If you are adept at managing to a plan comfortable responding to evolving requirements or external constraints and prioritizing efforts all the while infusing and facilitating creativity and innovation you will share in the teams impact on all aspects of vehicle development and verification.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Working with emerging and existing advanced concept program organizations to distill high level requirements into power and rocket propulsion system derived requirements

• Trading engine and power nuclear reactor systems and components working fluid choices system configurations power generation and overall reactor components for the best overall optimized solution with assessments of mass properties and historically based cost estimates

• Working closely with systems and component design engineers to rapidly assess conceptual designs perform system trade studies develop integrated design solutions formulate system margin strategy and performance parameters

• Assessing needs to onramp lower TRL technologies and the respective cost and risk benefits

• Maturing and publishing the system-level reactor architecture such as material and thermodynamic states operational modes functional flow block diagrams and data flows

• Developing and maturing Level 1 reactor engine and power system requirements and verification methodologies as well as risk assessments collaborating with the Systems Engineering organization

• Work with reactor engine and component test groups to develop test and risk reduction plans

• Perform mission analysis with a reactor propulsion and power generation focus flying the vehicle/stage/spacecraft across the mission concept of operations to optimize engine and power design characteristics and determine failure modes

• Coach mentor and technically assist other engineers

• Represent the program and company in technical discussions with external customers

Minimum Qualifications:

• Passion for Blue Origins mission: Millions of people living and working space for the benefit of earth!
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in nuclear engineering or equivalent technical field
• 5 years proven experience in the design development and/or transient analysis of reactor systems (level commensurate on experience)
• Knowledgeable of reactor modeling and simulation
• Knowledgeable of space nuclear systems
• Working knowledge of thermodynamics fluid dynamics and heat transfer
• Ability to lead and work effectively in teams
• Ability to be self-directed and balance several tasks at one time
• Ability to communicate analysis results effectivity

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering discipline
• Knowledge of nuclear thermal propulsion systems and in-space nuclear electrical power generation systems
• Knowledge of reactor system development and test
• Knowledge of how to create generalized point kinetic model of reactor designs Monte Carlo methods for nuclear analysis nodal diffusion codes and/or other reactor analysis codes.
• Reactor design optimization design automation data visualization coupled fluid flow heat conduction solid mechanics neutronics and system behaviors for propulsion and power system solutions.
• Proficient with modeling tools and scripting languages such as MATLAB/Simulink ROCETS Amesim or similar
• Experience with proposal support (technical/management volumes Task Description/Basis-of-Estimate development etc.)
• Experience working with U.S. Government research agencies (e.g. NASA AFRL DARPA DOE INL)
• Experience with fault-tolerance strategies and architectures for safety and mission-critical systems
• Experience developing requirements defining subsystem interfaces (both in-house and between external partners/suppliers) and other systems engineering products and practices
• Experience across the product life cycle (pre-conceptual design through field support)

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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.

• 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys 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.

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