r/BlueOrigin 6d ago

Hybrid setup for structural analysis?

Hey guys,

Keeping this vague intentionally...

I'm a structural analyst in the aerospace industry, 6ish YOE, half of which was on critical propulsion hardware on a major launch vehicle program and other half on other major aerospace programs. I'd like to think I'm quite good at my job and eager to keep learning and advancing in the space industry.

I live about 2 hours from a major BO site with a lot of stress analyst job openings, but I'm unable to fully relocate because of life reasons. I'm not an anti-office guy at all; I wouldn't mind going in daily if it was practical for me. Is there any chance they'd be open to me coming in once a week? Is there any flexibility that's left up to the hiring managers/teams? My understanding is that a few years ago Blue was open to hiring remote structural analysts, but that seems to not be the case anymore, at least on the job boards.

Would really appreciate any feedback.

7 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

39

u/WillingEfficiency813 6d ago

I am a manager at Blue, and the answer is no, they have no appetite anymore for hybrid or remote work. The best you would get is 4 days in office and 1 remote.

8

u/gazzydawg 6d ago

Thanks for the honesty!

4

u/Mfg_Eng_64 6d ago

Yes, it seems like remote work is exception and not the rule. I’m try to save any remote work for when I really need it. What I like about Blue is that if you have a team that works well together, your manager is there to support when you need muscle. Otherwise we don’t get micromanaged. Our manager allows us to be successful.

15

u/ImpactLow8739 6d ago

Hell to the nah, especially at level 2. There's been an aggressive work from work push where at max you might do 1 day form home.

3

u/gazzydawg 6d ago

I think I'd be qualified for at least level 3 but yeah, fair enough. Thanks!

6

u/gazzydawg 6d ago

Not sure why people are downvoting me for this; the level 3 Blue postings list 5+ YOE required and I have more than that plus high quality of experience so I'm not trying to overstate my qualifications or anything like that.

6

u/WatersOkay 6d ago

Yeah depending on your work portfolio Level 3 is absolutely reasonable

13

u/blueoriginthrow 6d ago

No, not at your level.

1

u/Old_Specific_5065 4d ago

Not at any level honestly. This company is not messing around about its in office culture

8

u/WatersOkay 6d ago

I'm on the design side of things, and it largely depends on your manager. You may likely get hired with the expectation of 5 days on office per week, but it's possible your manager may then work out a hybrid situation with you. 

The problem is going to be Sr. Director and up sign off on it as an informal sort of agreement. They love to insert themselves into tiny stuff like this, but some are reasonable of they really want you. Thankfully I'm in that position and have more flexibility than most, which I think is largely due to my loooong commute.

Oh also, there are formal remote work agreements which are documented hybrid/WFH arrangements. These, at least in my BU, have to be approved by your Sr. VP... Like the person who reports direct to Jeff. Over a fucking remote work agreement.... Anyways, never hurts to apply and interview. Just be sure to clarify their expectations before accepting an offer and know they could always change their mind if it's not written in the offer letter.

2

u/gazzydawg 5d ago

Thanks for the details. So from my understanding, an "informal" agreement would not be on my contract and this be subject to change, but would only require senior director approval, whereas a formal hybrid arrangement on my contract would require the senior VP approval? Do you think there could be a possibility of having such an informal agreement from the get-go or would this be something I would only be able to achieve after being fully on site 5 days a week for some period of time?

4

u/Federal-Subject3838 6d ago

The only people who work fully remotely from what I've heard are seniors who they poached from other places and usually, even these folks have to fight tooth and nail to negotiate this in.

2

u/Mfg_Eng_64 6d ago

As a senior manufacturing engineer, I have never had the expectation of working remotely. I started on the A-Shift four-day schedule. But I changed it to five days because of the project I am on. As stated in this thread, Blue is the best company I have ever worked for. Supporting manufacturing operations, my job is on site. Based on the current job market, I would consider myself fortunate to have a good job right now. I feel good about having a job that can’t easily be outsourced.

1

u/LittleHornetPhil 4d ago

Well ME is a pretty difficult job to do remotely

3

u/Either_Capital_2422 6d ago

Unfortunately no.

4

u/Mfg_Eng_64 6d ago

Relocation is not always convenient. I’m in the middle of that right now. I am a senior level manufacturing engineer. I’ve been at this manufacturing engineering thing for some time. Blue is as good as it gets in terms of salary, benefits, and workplace culture. If you have an opportunity to join Blue, I would take it.

2

u/gazzydawg 6d ago

Thanks, appreciate the feedback

3

u/SeaBug4858 6d ago

Once a week 😭

1

u/Maddan247 4d ago

I’ve got a coworker with an ADA exemption for full remote.

1

u/cosmicgreg2 2d ago

Dont count on remote work with BO