Launch Operations Engineer - Pneumatics

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 small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will perform development, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of fluid systems associated with launch vehicle and ground systems. You will have direct ownership of pneumatic systems, including gaseos nitrogen, helium, oxygen, and hydrogen, as well as cryogenic liquid nitrogen.

Responsibilities:

• Optimize and automate ground and vehicle launch procedures
• Conduct test and launch operations on-console to support New Glenn launches
• Author, run, optimize and automate launch, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures
• Implement and execute corrective and preventative maintenance programs for ground and vehicle systems
• Oversee commissioning of new or modified systems at the Blue Origin Orbital Launch Site
• Create work instructions for performing system upgrades and maintenance
• Collaborate on system CONOPs and safety and process hazards analysis
• Coordinate with internal design teams to provide inputs for system improvements
• Periodic second shift and weekends may be necessary

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering (or similar discipline)
• 3+ years relevant experience in a similar fluid systems operations role
• Experience automating and testing operations while interfacing with various software applications
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting mechanical and/or piping systems
• Knowledge of fluid components typical in tubing and piping systems (valves, regulators, pumps, etc.)
• Knowledge of installation and fabrication methods of piping systems (pipe stock, fittings, connections, valves, fasteners, structural members, fitting, welding, etc.)
• Experience understanding fabrication and installation drawings
• Demonstrated ability with self-starting and managing tasks along with team collaboration.
• 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

Desired qualifications:

• Advanced engineering degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience in a similar fluid systems operations role
• Knowledge of Python or similar programming experience
• Experience with solid modelling or plant modelling, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), design lifecycle documentation, and configuration control
• Experience operating aerospace systems during testing or launch activities
• Experience writing and executing test plans and procedures for qualification, acceptance, and operations of hazardous and/or safety critical components and systems
• Knowledge of ASME B31.3 and in-field oversight of construction, testing and/or operations of piping systems
• Experience with design and operation of typical aerospace fuel, oxidizer and high pressure pneumatic systems
• Knowledge of precision cleaning processes / levels and passivation of stainless steel
• Knowledge of marine environment corrosion mitigation (material and coatings selection)
• Familiarity with test equipment, such as multimeters, dew point meters, vacuum equipment, regulator panels
• Experience with programming languages for data acquisition and control or test data reduction

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.