Mechanisms Engineer III — Opto-Mechanical Systems

The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. 

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a driven Mechanisms Engineer III to join a small, fast-moving team developing precision mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. On a lean team, you will personally own significant mechanism design scope end-to-end — from concept through qualification — with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for your hardware. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior and principal engineers, but you will be the directly responsible engineer for the mechanisms you take on. 

Special Mentions 

• Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. 

• Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may be required for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings. 

Responsibilities 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Own the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals, from concept through flight qualification 

• Develop and be accountable for mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains 

• Drive design trades for gimbal configurations, balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime, and defend your recommendations in design reviews 

• Plan and execute mechanism qualification including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments, and own the resulting data and corrective actions 

• Author and maintain mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures supporting hardware build and test 

• Coordinate directly with cross-functional partners on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition — acting as the point of contact for your hardware 

• Partner with senior and principal engineers on the toughest technical problems, escalating risks early and proposing solutions 

• Support production transition through tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA improvements, and direct supplier engagement 

Examples of additional areas where you may contribute include: 

• Motor and encoder selection for precision drive systems 

• Bearing selection, preload analysis, and lubrication strategies for space mechanisms 

• Mechanism-level FMEA and reliability analysis 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field 

• 5+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications 

• Demonstrated ability to independently own the design, analysis, and qualification of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems 

• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks) and finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Comsol) 

• Working knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis 

• Hands-on experience with space qualification testing including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum 

• Experience with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators for space mechanisms 

• Solid understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation 

• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles 

• Self-directed work style with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to thrive with minimal oversight on a small team 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related field 

• Experience with optical communications terminals or lasercom pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems 

• Exposure to lubrication and tribology for space mechanisms (e.g., dry film, ionic liquid, oil-impregnated) 

• Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows 

• Experience supporting transition of precision mechanisms from development into production 

• Exposure to statistical process control or production data analysis for mechanism performance verification 

Why Blue Origin 

At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Mechanisms Engineer III on a small, high-ownership Opto-Mechanical Systems team, you will have outsized impact and direct accountability for hardware that will fly on the TeraWave constellation. You'll work alongside world-class engineers on challenging problems, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and see your designs through from sketch to orbit.