Senior Test Engineer | Test Operations Maintenance

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 is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

This individual will join the Alabama Test Operations (ATO) Maintenance team at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL. The ATO Maintenance team is responsible for the thousands of components and dozens of sub-systems that make up the historic MSFC 4670 Engine Test Stand facility structural, fluid, and electrical systems, as well as the component test capability supporting engine factory checkout areas, including environmental, proof, and flow testing. Our premier capability is full-scale liquid propellant rocket engine testing at Test Stand 4670. In this role, you will sustain that hardware and support the initial build and activation of facility upgrades in support of development, qualification, and acceptance testing of Blue Origin engines and their components.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team, you will be responsible for maintenance plans, process architecture, maintenance requirement definition, troubleshooting hardware failures, risk identification and mitigation, automated data review scripts to support predictive maintenance, and a wide range of continuous process improvements.

This position will directly impact the history of space exploration in the heart of Rocket City and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable operations. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise and commitment to quality for positive impact to spaceflight.

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, 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! Passion for our mission and vision is required!

This is a 1st shift position but will require the ability to perform job duties outside of normal shift hours as needed to support test operations and maintenance windows. Up to 10% travel may be required to support other Blue Origin test sites during surge needs, as well as for process and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Consistently exhibit strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills; communicate clearly and promptly across all areas of the organization.

• Author work instructions to safely perform maintenance on test facility hardware, including disassembly, inspection, and assembly of mechanical and electro-mechanical components.

• Identify and define preventative maintenance for test facility hardware, including the support equipment needed to perform maintenance on facility components.

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for permanent problem resolution.

• Support functional testing of components (valves, filters, regulators, etc.) for acceptance using high-pressure pneumatics, cryogenics, or hydraulics. Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct malfunctions using work instructions.

• Coordinate with external vendors to support preventative maintenance and repair efforts.

• Participate in Test Readiness Reviews and Risk Assessment Reviews to ensure compliance with the Blue Origin Health and Safety Manual.

• Provide technical support for new designs to ensure maintainability and operability.

• Perform operations as a certified operator to support return-to-service post-maintenance, as well as first-time activation of system upgrades.

• Establish training curriculum for engineers and technicians and proctor training for the team as needed.

• Support robust methods and strategies for sustaining a reasonable inventory of equipment and spares to support facility maintenance.

• Support Supervisors and Managers in establishing best practices and effective work execution strategies.

• Engage with multiple geographic locations and business units to support anomaly resolution, hazard and operability (HazOp) assessments, stand boards, design reviews, and operations and maintenance (O&M) considerations for future facility expansions and upgrades.

• Actively introduce new technologies and capability improvements.

• Identify inefficiencies, capability gaps, and potential improvements in the O&M process; advocate for and implement better solutions.

Scope, autonomy, and leadership expectations scale with level as described in the Minimum Qualifications below.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, with years of relevant experience per the level table below. Looking for Level IV however would also consider strong Level III.

• Experience in a test, propulsion, industrial, energy, or comparable hardware-rich operating environment.

• Working knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, data acquisition, and electrical power systems, commensurate with level.

• Technical fundamentals in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

• Ability to perform data analysis and establish dispositions or recommendations based on system performance.

• Working knowledge of instrumentation, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, silicon diodes, resistance temperature detectors, flow measurement devices, and accelerometers.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, and engineering drawings.

• Ability to safely work around pressurized systems up to 6,000 PSIG.

• Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office applications.

• Approachable disposition, open-minded, and able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements.

• Calm demeanor in high-pressure situations, with the tenacity to resolve conflict and drive permanent problem resolution.

• A safety first, continuous improvement mindset.

• 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. Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Redstone Arsenal.

Experience by Level

Test Engineer III

B.S. + 6 years, or M.S. + 4 years

Owns major systems and their maintenance strategy; leads root cause investigations and projects from concept through activation; mentors junior engineers and technicians.

Sr. Test Engineer

B.S. + 10 years, or M.S. + 8 years

Sets facility-wide maintenance architecture and standards; drives cross-site and cross-BU alignment; serves as technical authority in reviews and boards; leads capital upgrade and activation campaigns.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct experience working at or with a rocket propulsion test facility.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business.

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from concept definition through full implementation.

• Experience with environmental (thermal/vacuum/vibration), proof, and flow testing of flight components.

• Experience with Windchill or a similar product lifecycle management tool.

• Familiarity with CAD applications (Creo preferred).

• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, Winplot, or advanced Excel functions (VBA, Power Query, etc.).

• Experience with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and reliability-centered maintenance methods.

• Working knowledge of aerospace cleanliness specificati