Michael Searing
About Michael Searing
Michael Searing is a Mechanical Engineer III, IPT Lead, and Cognizant Engineer at Blue Origin, working on the New Shepard Program since 2018. He holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and a Bachelor's degree from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering.
Current Role at Blue Origin
Michael Searing is currently employed at Blue Origin as a Mechanical Engineer III, IPT Lead, and Cognizant Engineer for the New Shepard Program. He has held this position since 2018. In this role, he oversees the management of a $1 million annual budget and supervises up to one other engineer. His responsibilities include incorporating new company and program requirements without increasing resource demands or delaying the schedule for human spaceflight verification.
Previous Experience at Blue Origin
Prior to his current role, Searing worked as a Mechanical Engineer II on the New Shepard Program from 2016 to 2018, a term of 2 years in Kent, WA. Before that, he was an Engineering Intern at Blue Origin in 2015, gaining experience over two months also in Kent, WA.
Other Professional Experience
Before joining Blue Origin, Michael Searing held various positions, including an Engineering Intern at Aerospace Robotics LLC in 2014 for two months in Boston, Massachusetts. He also worked briefly as a Mechanical Engineer at Digital Loggers, Inc. in Santa Clara, California in the same year. Additionally, he served as a Machine Shop Assistant at Olin College from 2013 to 2016 and as a Camp Counselor at the Boy Scouts of America: Santa Clara County Council from 2011 to 2012.
Educational Background
Michael Searing holds a Master of Science (MS) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, where he studied from 2017 to 2021. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, completing his studies there between 2012 and 2016. His secondary education was completed at Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he studied from 2008 to 2012.
Key Contributions and Projects
Among his notable achievements, Michael Searing developed new pyrotechnics testing specifications and capabilities for gas generator, cartridge-actuated, frangible, and cutting devices. He also authored subsystem and component technical specifications to meet company and program requirements for the New Shepard Program. Additionally, he managed a full-scale integrated test campaign involving pneumatic, electronic, and pyrotechnic systems, which included performing data reduction and authoring the test report.