Thermal Protection System Materials Informatics 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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will be responsible for developingdatadriven models and workflowsthat accelerate the development ofthermal protection system (TPS) materials and processes. You will combine your knowledge ofmaterials sciencewithmachine learning and data analysisto help:

• define materials and process design spaces,
• build surrogate models and prediction tools, and
• guide TPS material screening and downselection using datadriven methods.

You will leverage your knowledge and expertise to curate materials data, develop and validate ML models, and work closely with M&P engineers to transition insights into TPS material and process development. The developed methods will be applied across multiple launch vehicles and test campaigns. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of reusable launch vehicles.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, curiosity, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

As a TPS Materials Informatics Engineer, you will:

• Develop and apply datadriven models

  • Build and evaluate surrogate models (e.g., regression, Gaussian Processes, neural networks) to predict key TPS material properties and performance metrics from composition, processing, and test conditions.
  • Support implementation of Bayesian optimization or related methods to propose new material compositions, processes, or test conditions.

• Curate and analyze materials data

  • Collect, clean, and organize TPS materials data from experiments, simulations, and literature into structured datasets suitable for analysis and ML.
  • Perform exploratory data analysis to identify trends, correlations, and data gaps that inform future testing and development plans.

• Integrate domain knowledge into models

  • Work with TPS materials and process engineers to translate known design rules, constraints, and operating environments (e.g., reentry conditions) into model features, priors, and searchspace constraints.
  • Help encode empirical and physicsbased relationships (e.g., degradation mechanisms, thermal response trends) into models and analysis workflows.

• Collaborate and communicate

  • Partner with experimental and manufacturing teams to design datadriven screening and development plans, interpret model results, and incorporate new data into the modeling workflows.
  • Prepare clear plots, reports, and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to crossfunctional stakeholders.

• Continuously improve tools and methods

  • Maintain and improve analysis scripts, Jupyter notebooks, and related tools; follow good software practices (version control, documentation).
  • Stay current with developments in materials informatics and ML for scientific discovery and help bring relevant methods into the TPS development workflow.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or other relevant fields (e.g., Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics) OR Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fieldwith demonstrated exposure to materials or physical sciences.

• Familiarity with structure-processing-property relationships in materials.

• Exposure to hightemperature materials, thermal protection systems, ceramics, composites, or related domains through coursework, projects, research, or internships.

• Ability to read and interpret technical materials literature (e.g., property data, degradation mechanisms, processing-microstructure relationships).

• Proficiency inPythonfor scientific computing and data analysis (e.g.,numpy,pandas,matplotlibor similar).

• Handson experience with at least one machine learning or dataanalysis library (e.g.,scikitlearn,PyTorch,TensorFlow, or similar) from coursework, projects, or research.

• Working understanding of basic ML concepts: regression, training/validation splits, overfitting/underfitting, and model evaluation metrics.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain technical topics to audiences.

• You need to have indepth knowledge or expertise in at least ONE of the following areas:

  • Application of machine learning or advanced data analysis to materials, chemistry, or other physical science problems.
  • Hightemperature materials or TPS materials and their performance/degradation mechanisms.
  • Handling and interpreting complex experimental or simulation datasets (e.g., multiparameter test matrices, timedependent response data, or multifidelity data from experiments and modeling).

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D., completed or in progress) in Materials Science & Engineering or related field, particularly with a focus onmaterials informaticsordatadriven materials design.
• Handson experience with:
  • Gaussian Process Regression or other probabilistic models.
  • Bayesian optimization, active learning, or sequential design of experiments.
  • Neural network models (e.g., feedforward NNs, graph neural networks, or physicsinformed neural networks) for surrogate modeling of physical systems.
• Experience with TPS materials screening, downselection, or development for reentry or similar extreme environments.
• Experience with materials modeling tools or data (e.g., finite element thermal/structural models, DFT/MD/CALPHAD outputs).
• Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git) and collaborative code development.
• Experience in Linux/HPC environments or GPUaccelerated workflows.
• Handson experience taking a materials or process concept from ideation through test and into hardware (e.g., senior design projects, research, or prior roles).

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80

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 (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 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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.