Senior Technical Designer
blue originLos Angeles, CA
Senior Technical Designer
Occupations
Mechanical EngineersMechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansMechanical DraftersIndustries
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle ManufacturingOther Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingSpace Research and TechnologyAbout the role
Blue Origin Technical Designer 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. In this hands-on, on-site role based at our North Hollywood (CA) facility, you will collaborate closely with the Space Resources Program team, owning subsystem-level design scope with minimal day-to-day oversight. We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated technical designer who brings deep CAD expertise, design leadership capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to quality and safety. You will translate engineering concepts into detailed, manufacturable hardware while communicating design rationale and trade-offs to deliver high-quality drawings and models in a safety- and mission-critical environment. The pace at Blue Origin is brisk, with rapid cycles of design, analysis, and iteration aimed at delivering scalable solutions. We need someone who is adaptable, proactive, eager to learn, and uncompromising on drawing quality, design for manufacturing, and safety. Creativity, a spirit of innovation, and the ability to manage evolving design requirements are key to thriving on our inclusive, open-minded, and forward-thinking team. Passion for our mission is required!
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop detailed 3D CAD models and production drawings for mechanical, electromechanical, and fluid systems, including: Test equipment and test stands for component and system validation
- Ground support equipment (GSE) for development and test operations
- Assembly, handling, and integration tooling
- Structural assemblies, weldments, and machined components
- Mechanisms, actuators, and mechanical interfaces
- Gas and liquid fluid systems: plumbing assemblies, manifolds, pressure vessels, and flow control hardware
- Pressurized and vacuum systems for test and process applications
- Create comprehensive design documentation: Production drawings with full GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
- Assembly drawings with bills of materials and assembly sequences
- Installation drawings and interface control documentation
- Weld symbols, surface finish callouts, and material specifications
- Drawing packages that meet Blue Origin standards and industry best practices
- Design electromechanical systems and electrical installations: Cable routing, harness layouts, and connector integration
- Electrical enclosures, panel layouts, and mounting hardware
- Sensor and instrumentation mounting and integration
- Power distribution hardware and control system packaging
- Collaborate directly with engineers and other designers: Interpret design concepts, sketches, and technical requirements
- Provide design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) feedback
- Identify and resolve design conflicts, interferences, and manufacturing concerns
- Support design reviews and incorporate feedback into models and drawings
- Execute design and release process independently: Manage design changes through PLM/PDM systems (Windchill or similar)
- Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain on design releases
- Create and release engineering changes (ECOs/ECRs)
- Ensure all documentation meets configuration management requirements
- Support analysis and design validation: Perform basic finite element analysis (FEA) for stress, deflection, and thermal analysis
- Size structural members, fasteners, and weld joints per industry standards
- Validate designs against weight, envelope, and interface requirements
- Create design concepts and trade study models
- Design specialty hardware and systems: Vacuum systems: chambers, flanges, seals, feedthroughs, and pumping assemblies
- Pressurized gas and liquid systems: tubing, fittings, regulators, and pressure-containing components
- Thermal systems: heat exchangers, insulation, and temperature control hardware
- Test instrumentation integration: pressure, temperature, flow, and data acquisition interfaces
- Lifting and handling fixtures with proper rigging and safety factors
- Maintain exceptional drawing quality and standards: Ensure clarity, completeness, and manufacturability of all drawings
- Follow Blue Origin drafting standards and industry best practices
- Create drawings that minimize shop questions and rework
- Mentor junior designers on drawing quality and standards
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate's degree in engineering technology, industrial engineering, CAD/Design, or related technical field 10+ years of professional CAD design experience in aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturingOR High school diploma/GED with 10+ years of relevant design experience
- Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar)
- Demonstrated expertise in: Creating production drawings per ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
- Mechanical design: structural components, weldments, machined parts, sheet metal
- Fluid system design: gas and liquid tubing, piping, fittings, valves, and pressure vessels
- Electromechanical design: cable routing, mounting hardware, and electrical integration
- Test equipment and GSE design
- Proficiency with: PLM/PDM systems (Windchill preferred)
- Design and release processes, including ECO/ECR workflows
- Basic FEA tools (ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar)
- Microsoft Office and collaboration tools
- Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, P&IDs, electrical schematics, and technical requirements
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes: machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, assembly
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to drawing quality
- Self-sufficient and able to work independently with minimal supervision
- Ability to work extended hours as needed to support program milestones
- 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, consistent with U.S. export control requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology or related field 15+ years of design experience in aerospace or high-reliability industries
- Extensive test equipment and GSE design experience: Test stands and test fixtures
- Component and subsystem test apparatus
- Handling and lifting fixtures
- Assembly jigs and fixtures
- Integration tooling
- Alignment and measurement tooling
- Advanced design experience with: Vacuum systems: chambers, flanges, seals, pumps, and vacuum-compatible hardware
- High-pressure gas and liquid systems (>3,000 psi)
- Cryogenic fluid systems and insulation
- Complex fluid system layouts with multiple gas and liquid services
- Test instrumentation and data acquisition integration
- Thermal processing and environmental test equipment
- Proficiency with advanced FEA techniques
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JOB OVERVIEW
Experience level
Senior
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Occupation
Mechanical Engineers
Industry
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Posted
today
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