Test Engineer

Application close date:

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! 

 As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will work on the Launch Site One Test Operations' (LSO) Maintenance team in Van Horn, TX. The LSO Maintenance Team supports the thousands of components and dozens of sub-systems that make up GEEx, VEEx and XEEx Engine Test Stand facility structural, fluid, and electrical systems. In this role, you will support maintenance of that hardware as well as the initial build for upgrades to the stand in support of development, qualification and acceptance testing of Blue Engines. As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team, you will be responsible for maintenance plans, architecture of process, maintenance requirement definition, troubleshooting hardware failure, risk identification/mitigation, automated data review scripts to support predictive maintenance, as well as supporting various continuous process improvements. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable operations. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise and commitment to quality for positive impact to spaceflight.

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, low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  Passion for our mission and vision is required!

This job is a 1st shift position but will require ability to perform job duties outside of normal shift hours as needed. 10% travel may also be required to support other sites during surge need as well as for process and professional development.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to _10_% of the time
• Shifts available:
  • 8 days on and 6 days off "A" Rotation or "B" Rotation
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employee’s additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance.  Eligibility for these additional benefits is based on the employee’s ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue location a minimum of 50% of the time.

• Consistently exhibit strong written, personal, and computer skills. Ability to communicate clearly and promptly within all areas of the organization
• Author work instructions to safely perform maintenance on test facility hardware including instructions for disassembly, inspection, assembly of various mechanical and electro-mechanical components.
• Identification and definition of preventative maintenance of test facility hardware including support equipment needed to perform maintenance on the various components of the test facility.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for permanent problem resolution
• Support functional test of various components (valves, filters, regulators, etc.) for acceptance using high pressure pneumatics, cryogenics, or hydraulics. Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct malfunctions using work instructions.
• Coordination with external vendors to support both preventative maintenance efforts and repair
• Participate in Test Readiness and Risk Assessment Reviews to ensure compliance with Blue Origin Health and Safety Manual requirements.
• Provide technical support of new designs for maintainability and operability.
• Perform operations as certified operator to support return to service post-maintenance as well as system upgrade first time activations
• Establish training curriculum for engineering and technicians to support job functions and proctor training for team as needed.
• Support robust methods and strategies for sustaining a reasonable inventory of equipment and spares to support stand maintenance.
• Support the Managers with establishing best practices and proper work execution strategies
• Engaging with multiple geographic locations and business units to support anomaly resolution, participate in hazard operations (hazops) assessments, stand boards, design reviews, as well as supporting considerations for operations and maintenance (O&M) of future facility expansions and upgrades.
• Actively introduce new technologies and capability improvements.
• Identify inefficiencies, capability gaps, and potential improvements in the O&M process to advocate for and implement better solutions.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Direct experience working with rocket test facility
• 4+ years of experience in testing environment with focus on engineering and project management
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from concept definition to full implementation
• Advanced computer skills such as Windows, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Intermediate technical fundamentals in fluids and thermodynamic principles
• Strong ability to perform data analysis and establish dispositions or recommendations based upon system performance
• Intermediate working knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, silicon diodes, resistance temperature detectors, flow measuring devices, and accelerometers
• Advanced knowledge of high pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, data acquisition, and electrical power systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, and engineering drawings
• Ability to safely work around pressurized systems up to 6,000 PSIG
• Approachable disposition, open minded and able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements
• Calming demeanor in high pressure situations with tenacity to resolve conflict for permanent problem resolution
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• 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.

• M.S. or Ph.D., in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business
• Experience with Windchill or similar product lifecycle tools
• Familiarity with CAD applications (Creo preferred)
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, Winplot, Advanced Excel functions (VBA, Power Query, etc.)
• Working knowledge of aerospace cleanliness specs for Clean Room activities, and Manufacturing environments
• Working knowledge of fabrication techniques for component hardware modifications or creation of spare material from raw stock
• Experience in a leadership position
• Experienced in design tools and methods for facility fluid and/or electrical systems
• Operational understanding of engines and engine sub-components, such as turbopumps, combustion devices, valves and other fluid components

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.