Senior Avionics Liaison Engineer

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 own all aspects of payload processing and operations, from receipt of hardware through launch. You will be responsible for processing flight hardware, performing spacecraft mate & encapsulation, transport, mate to the launch vehicle, and integrated testing.

Responsibilities:

• Perform thorough technical assessments of proposed internal and external payload interface requirements to understand the impacts to the launch site
• Evaluate or contribute to validation planning for payloads
• Capture and implement launch system upgrades/changes to support mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and shock environments, contamination and communication requirements for a broad variety of spacecraft types including crewed systems
• Act as primary point of contact for all, launch site, spacecraft processing activity throughout the launch campaign, including administrative and support services to the customer at the Payload Process (PPF) and launch facilities
• Manage/coordinate spacecraft daily processing schedule inputs to the mission integration and daily operations schedules
• Participate in launch countdown monitoring various interface airborne and ground systems supporting the spacecraft
• Lead a small group of highly skilled technicians to perform payload processing activities in 100K (ISO-8) class or higher cleanroom
• Assist with hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of payload accommodations flight hardware including mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic equipment

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, physics, aerospace engineering or another related engineering discipline
• 8+ years of direct/specialized experience in large spacecraft integration and/or the development of payload integration requirements including launch campaigns
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, customer relation skills, and presentation skills are required
• Current TS/SCI clearance or ability to successfully complete a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
• Must be able to travel to other Blue Origin offices, alternate launch site, and customer facilities
• Position requires: lifting (35-lbs), climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying, and standing for extended periods (8 hours minimum)
• Must be able become certified to operate equipment such as aerial lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes
• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends, when needed to support test or launch campaign timelines

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with developing and executing launch operations procedures
• Experience with payload operations, integration, payload fairings, adapters, payload separation systems, matchmates (fit-checks), and launch countdown activities
• Familiarity with industry and USG safety requirements including AFMAN 91-710
• Experience planning and conducting spacecraft launch preparations
• Experience with project management / scheduling experience (MS Project, Primavera P6)
• Knowledge of current systems engineering and integration tools and methodologies
• Experience with systems engineering tools such as DOORS Next Gen
• Experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

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.