Launch Facility Operations and Test Engineer I (Early Career)

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.  

As part of a hardworking team of diverse specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will operate and maintain the New Shepard launch and landing facility and directly support ground operations for various spaceflight systems. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of New Shepard launch operations and maintenance. The Launch Facility Operations Engineer will work alongside a multi-discipline engineering team and technicians to facilitate operation and maintenance of assigned systems, sub-systems and equipment. Our team will also work to implement and commission engineering design changes which improve safety or reliability. Your critically important work will ensure the launch facility is ready for flight or ground test operations by performing pre-flight verification testing, post-launch inspections, post-flight ground system data reduction, and rapidly returning the facility to a launch ready state. You will be expected to draft and review work orders for routine and corrective maintenance procedures, always understand configuration of the facility and equipment, and be well-versed in the contents of system safety products involving our systems. We are a small team that delivers results and demonstrates grit in the face of challenges. We work across a wide range of groups, such as Design Engineering teams, technicians performing touch labor, Supply Chain, Environmental Health and Safety, and Quality, as well as contracted vendors; being a great teammate is a must.

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

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering or similar technical hands-on experience
• Direct experience with integrated system testing
• Proven ability and desire to understand complex systems, investigate and solve challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment
• Working knowledge of pressurized gas systems, cryogenics, fluid systems, instrumentation and controls
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices, fabrication techniques, integration processes, test planning, and quality control
• Experience with fluid system components- valves, actuators, piping/tubing, etc
• Experience with test facility instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems
• Must be able to work under pressure and take initiative to improve existing systems, processes, and documentation
• Ability to write technical work instructions to implement upgrades, perform maintenance, and verify system performance.
• Ability to support a variable and demanding schedule supporting launch and recovery operations based in a remote environment.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to our inclusive culture
• 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

• Experience with hazardous operations and design for system safety
• Proficiency in MATLAB and JIRA
• Technical expertise in launch facility operations, maintenance, and design
• Experience with 3D CAD tools and data management

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity 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