Senior Solar R&D Technician

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.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers you will take complex space power assemblies from concept to validated hardware by performing hands-on build and integration, executing structured test campaigns, and turning results into actionable insights. You will uphold rigorous safety, cleanliness, and quality standards with traceability, proactively resolve production issues, and sustain the tools and equipment that enable reliable operations. You will document and refine processes, mentor teammates, and collaborate across disciplines and sites to deliver flight‑worthy hardware on schedule in a dynamic R&D environment.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assemble solar cell strings; perform welding/tabbing, adhesive dispense, lamination/encapsulation, and rework
• Operate solar simulators, IV flash, EL imaging; log data and maintain traceability
• Set up and run TVAC, thermal cycling, AO/UV exposures; handle test article prep and post‑test inspections
• Build and operate deployment test rigs; install sensors and execute instrumented tests
• Follow ESD, cleanroom, FOD controls; maintain cleanliness and calibration of tools/metrology
• Conduct incoming inspections and basic metrology (pull/shear, thickness, flatness)
• Troubleshoot build issues; execute containment and rework; document NCs
• Train junior techs; contribute to WIs/checklists and process improvements
• Support fixture/tooling maintenance; perform safe lifts/transfers of fragile assemblies
• Maintain lab organization (5S), consumable inventory, and equipment preventive maintenance
• Work collaboratively in a scrappy cross-disciplinary R&D environment with a geographically distributed team

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma/equivalent; 8+ years aerospace hardware assembly/test (or AS degree with 6+ years)
• Hands‑on welding, adhesive dispense, lamination/encapsulation, and rework
• Operate solar simulators, IV flash, EL imaging; record data with full traceability 
• Test article prep and post‑test inspection
• ESD/cleanroom/FOD compliance; metrology (pull/shear, thickness, flatness); NC documentation

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10–12+ years; IPC J‑STD‑001/IPC‑A‑610 certifications (CIS/CIT) and NASA‑STD‑8739 series training
• Lead tech/trainer experience; contributes to WIs/checklists and process improvements
• Forklift/overhead crane and precision handling certifications; preventive maintenance ownership
• Hands‑on stringing/tabbing
• Setup/run TVAC, thermal cycling, AO/UV exposures
• Build/operate deployment test rigs; sensor install and instrumented tests

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

• R