Oxygen Compatibility Engineer

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 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.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a unique, rapidly evolving team, you will perform and lead Oxygen Compatibility Assessments (OCAs) across our ground systems and flight hardware programs, for Enterprise Engineering. In this role, you will apply advanced materials science and engineering fundamentals to evaluate, design, and mitigate hazards in high-pressure and cryogenic oxygen systems critical to launch vehicles, engines, and ground support equipment.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Perform and lead Oxygen Compatibility Assessments including:
  • Worst-case operating environment evaluation
  • Sub-component material flammability assessment
  • Ignition hazard identification and rating (heat sources leading to ignition)
  • Kindling chain analysis (fire propagation potential through components)
  • Reaction effect evaluation (impact to personnel, mission, and system objectives)
  • History-of-use review
• Apply advanced technical judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation approaches—trading off low, medium, and high-performance technical architecture choices for oxygen-wetted systems.
• Determine appropriate OCA scope and depth based on system complexity and hazard level, including abbreviated assessments via Peer Review ITS tickets where appropriate, and ensure tailoring is documented and approved through the Peer Review Process.
• Maintain the lifecycle integrity of OCAs—ensuring assessments remain current with component changes, configuration updates, and CONOPS evolution.
• Serve as technical lead on anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and development of recovery plans for oxygen system issues.
• Develop advanced technical solutions to complex problems requiring regular use of ingenuity and creativity, where analysis requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Apply materials science and engineering fundamentals across the full development cycle of systems—requirements, design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, verification, and test.
• Review the technical work of other engineers, detect subtle flaws, and provide substantial design improvements; develop processes and standards that improve efficiency of design and verification and reduce errors.
• Debug and find root cause of complex system failures; complete requirements analysis, decomposition, and architecture of interconnected, integrated oxygen systems.
• Lead, mentor, and train other engineers on materials and oxygen compatibility topics through informal and formal leadership roles, including participation in the M&P Communities of Practice.
• Hold schedule, milestone, and/or program technical approval authority for assigned oxygen compatibility work.
• Provide significant support to strategic initiatives, technology maturation, and capturing best practices at the business/functional level.
• Develop relationships both within and outside the team, representing the M&P organization with subject matter expertise on oxygen compatibility topics.
• Regularly collaborate with key contacts outside your area of expertise to develop solutions reviewed by senior program and technical leaders for fit to mission objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in materials engineering, propulsion systems, or fluid systems engineering, with meaningful focus on oxygen or other reactive fluid systems.
• Demonstrated experience performing Oxygen Compatibility Assessments using appropriate materials ignition and flammability data, test methods, and related industry standards.
• Working knowledge of materials flammability, ignition mechanisms (particle impact, adiabatic compression, friction, mechanical impact, etc.), and kindling chain analysis in oxygen environments.
• Advanced professional expertise in materials science and engineering fundamentals applied across the full development cycle—requirements, design, analysis, fabrication, assembly, verification, and test.
• Advanced proficiency in materials and manufacturing processes, including the ability to apply and develop advanced materials and manufacturing process solutions.
• Proven ability to work at significant technical depth in discipline-specific areas with no oversight, independently or as part of a team.
• Demonstrated technical leadership at the team level, including the ability to review others' technical work, detect subtle flaws, and propose substantial design improvements.
• Experience leading anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and recovery planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Participation in ASTM Committee G04 (Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres) or equivalent technical society.
• Experience with NASA, USAF, or commercial space oxygen system standards (e.g., NASA-STD-6001, ASTM G88, ASTM G93).
• Hands-on experience with cryogenic LOX systems, GOX high-pressure systems, and associated ground support equipment.
• Experience leading peer reviews and authoring tailoring rationale for safety-critical assessments.
• Familiarity with hazard analysis methodologies (FMEA, FTA, HAZOP) as applied to fluid systems.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical communities of practice..

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.