GEEx Test Engineering Manager

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

As part of a diverse and hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, the Test Engineer Manager will lead a team of Test Engineers that operates one of our large scale rocket engine test stands at Launch Site One in Van Horn, TX. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of rocket engine testing.  This leader is responsible for recruiting, training, growing and retaining the Test Engineer team, and leveraging their skills both to expertly carry out rocket engine tests safely, while also implementing improvements that drive up safety, rate and reliability, while driving down cost. This team is key in testing BE-3PM, BE-3U, and BE-7 hydrogen-oxygen rocket engines.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Manage Test Engineers including recruiting, training, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent. 
• Lead a team that covers two shifts and 7 days a week, possible three shifts in the future. Assign employees to ensure coverage at all times.
• Personally set a high standard for safety of all activities.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale. 
• Exemplify all Blue Leadership Principles, especially operational excellence. 
• Ensure all employees maintain required training.
• Demonstrate high standards in test operations and work cooperatively with a diverse team of Technicians, Responsible Engineers, design engineers, Quality Specialists, and other stakeholders to carry out testing. 

• Assist in the preparation of Program Monthly Review, Monthly Activity Report, Weekly Status, and Daily Progress Checks to help communicate inwards and outwards across the organization. 
• Create strategic goals for the Test Engineer team and the test stand, and plan and deploy personnel to achieve these goals. 
• Assist in overhead and labor budget planning and execution. 

• Develop and execute daily and long term test plans and procedures; perform subsequent data reduction and reviews. 
• Lead daily test operations in coordination with internal customers and other stakeholders.
• Understand and troubleshoot fluid and instrumentation systems. 
• Perform root cause analysis and failure investigations; lead implementation of corrective actions or continuous improvement projects 

• Perform system hazard analyses. 
• Identify opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings. 
• Comply with and improve processes for test stand configuration management. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BS degree in engineering or related field, or some other commensurate deep technical experience relevant to rocket engine testing.
• Two or more years of experience in an operations environment in large industry or aerospace facilities.
• Two or more years of work experience and demonstrated leadership responsibilities leading significant projects and/or engineering teams.
• Demonstrated expertise working with technicians to perform work on test facilities, handle test articles and lead test operations.
• Experience following and implementing safety practices in hazardous systems.
• Solid project management, team/people leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills
• Displays initiative with a desire for ownership of projects and ability to drive them to completion
• Demonstrated experience in risk management and decision making
• Demonstrated experience in creating personnel training and development plans
• Ability to work onsite at Van Horn, TX Monday through Friday.
• Ability to work well under pressure and demonstrate initiative and follow through to improve existing systems, processes, and documentation. 

• Demonstrated technical expertise in high pressure gas, cryogenic fluid system design, or propulsion systems. 
• Understands hazardous operations an