Flight Operations Engineer II - Ground Controller

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

This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.

  

As part of a hardworking team of diverse flight operations professionals, you will operate and launch spaceflight systems. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of the re-usable rocket operation and commercial human spaceflight.

After completing a challenging hands-on training program   and successfully qualifying, you will operate the ground systems at our West Texas launch site in support of the New Shepard pre-launch, launch, and post-launch activities. As a flight controller in Mission Control, your role will be pivotal in carrying out a safe and successful launch. In this role, you will also support many aspects related to development and continuous improvement of the launch operation, such as procedure authoring and verification, process improvement, and safety analysis. This role is based in Van Horn, TX with regular travel to headquarters in Kent, WA.

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! 

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Van Horn Specific information:

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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop proficiency in operating sophisticated mechanical and fluid systems as you work toward and complete certification as a Ground Controller for test and launch of the New Shepard rocket
• Develop and support procedure updates for use across all phases of the operation, with a focus on development of the next block of New Shepard vehicles and ground system
• Serve as a flight controller on launch day, leading operations like loading propellants into the rocket
• Respond to off-nominal scenarios, taking appropriate actions to maintain crew and astronaut safety and help lead the team to resolution of anomalies
• Operate the launch complex ground systems in support of vehicle testing and pre-launch preparations for New Shepard launch (equipment checkouts, mission simulation, etc.)
• Support control console human interface upgrades

Minimum Qualifications:

• Previous experience as an operator or flight controller, including time on console or in a control room, and familiarity with radio/voice-loop communication protocols
• Significant direct experience with complex vehicle or ground system preparations, testing, or similar technical hands-on experience
• Strong ability and desire to understand sophisticated systems, investigate and tackle challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment
• Proven safety mentality
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative in improving existing systems, processes, and documentation