Launch Engineer - Mechanical (Weekends)

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, you will help manage New Glenn Launch Operations efforts to plan, and perform launch vehicle mechanical system processing, from launch site stage receipt through launch operations at the Orbital Launch Site. The Launch Operations team is responsible for executing all final assembly, stage check-outs, ground system verifications, preflight tests, and day of launch activities This role is a combination of operations planning, coordination, documentation, hands-on work, and system troubleshooting/data analysis.

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 include:

• Collaborate with a small team of engineers responsible for the preparation and launch of New Glenn launch vehicle.

• Become Launch Operation’s subject matter expert on vehicle stage delivery to the launch site, vehicle stage mates, vehicle ordnance installation, vehicle rollout to the pad, upending and mechanical system launch countdown operations.

• Coordinate the activities of engineers, technicians, support equipment, outside agencies, and vehicle configurations for testing through launch.

• Develop and be accountable for Launch Operation’s Flight Mechanical system requirements, procedures, budgets, and schedules.

• Work with design engineers to plan and perform tests of the ground and vehicle subsystems, ensuring the tests are designed to verify the pertinent requirements.

• Enforce safety policies during test planning and operations.

• Perform primary Test Engineer activities with overall responsibility for the test, the crew, and the procedure.

• Solve real time issues with ground and onboard flight systems in high pressure situations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Engineering, Science, or Math

• 5+ years of demonstrated technical expertise in the operation of aerospace flight and ground support systems in one or more of the following fields: launch vehicle handling, propulsion, pneumatics, hydraulics.

• 3+ years demonstrated field operations experience leading test teams as a Test Conductor or Test Engineer

• Experience with ordnance safety and working with Range Safety personnel and processes

• Demonstrated strong operations planning and organizational skills

• Ability to support occasional off shift work schedules during launch campaigns

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated control room or operations experience in a real-time, intense, and high consequence environment

• Extensive experience with space launch vehicle systems, ground support equipment operations and maintenance, or manufacturing technologies

• Demonstrated successful experience writing technical procedures, non-conformance documentation, and specifications

• Successful experience leading teams who integrate multiple subsystems to meet a top-level system requirement

• Strong safety record and mindset, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical tests and operations

• Strong personnel mentoring skills

• Effective project management, budget management, and team leadership skills

• Experience in sub-contract management of suppliers including requests for proposals, specifications, and statements of work

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