Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II

Blue Origin; Van Horn (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a dedicated technical contributor for its Operations team in Van Horn, Texas. This role involves providing technical support, designing PLC programs, and maintaining data acquisition systems within a team committed to space safety and innovation.

Applicants should have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, alongside experience in electrical schematic design and instrumentation integration. Opportunities for relocation and attractive financial incentives are available.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in electrical schematic and panel layout design.
• Proficiency with electrical diagnostic equipment.
• Familiar with industrial sensors and actuators.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for instrumentation on test stands.
• Design, upgrade, and modify PLC programs.
• Define and execute instrumentation and data system integration activities.

Skills

Electrical schematic design

PLC programming

Instrumentation integration

Technical writing

Education

B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Allen Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Application Close Date

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

About the Role

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.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. 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.

We are a small, passionate, and accomplished team, that supports the development, construction, operation and maintenance of liquid rocket engine test facilities for various liquid rocket engine propulsion systems, focusing on instrumentation and data acquisition and control hardware. You will contribute to the team's progress by participating in all aspects of hands‑on engineering and project management. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable test operations and spaceflight! This position is based in Van Horn, Tx.

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!

Van Horn Specific Information

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employees 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

• Provide technical support for instrumentation on test stands; provide and update drawings of harnesses/interfaces, electrical power, and data/control systems; provide mentorship/training and troubleshooting support for technicians and engineers
• Design, upgrade, and modify PLC programs for test stands
• Design electrical panels to accommodate new instrumentation and controls infrastructure at test facilities across Blue Origin
• Maintain and upgrade test stand data acquisition systems: assemble, setup, and validate DAQ hardware configurations and troubleshoot DAQ hardware related problems
• Define, coordinate, and execute instrumentation, data, and controls system integration activities at the test stands, including identifying, designing, reviewing, building, installing, and functional checking wire harnesses, components, and instrumentation
• Perform other tasks, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment, including the operation of the test article and test stand to collect hot fire test data
• Identify and execute on opportunities for continuous improvements to promote workplace safety, meet fast paced schedules, and secure cost savings

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field
• 2-5 years of experience in electrical schematic and panel layout design using CAD (preferably AutoCAD Electrical)
• 2-5 years of PLC Programming experience (preferably Allen Bradley or Siemens)
• Proven understanding of integrating instrumentation with data acquisition hardware
• Proficiency with electrical diagnostic equipment
• Familiar with industrial sensors and actuators: pressure, temperature, LVDT, accelerometers, motor controllers, flow meters, relays, strain gauges, valves, and pumps
• Strong technical and non‑technical writing and verbal skills
• Desire to take ownership of projects

Desired

• M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field
• Practice with video monitoring systems (webcam, 3G‑SDI, high speed, infrared, etc.)
• Understanding of network configuration and other IT fundamentals
• Familiarity with NI hardware or Bustec hardware
• Familiarity with calibration principles (uncertainty calculation, total error ratios, etc.) and industry calibration standards (ISO/IEC 17025, ANSI NCSL Z540.3)
• Proficient in noise reduction, shielding, grounding techniques, termination and analog and digital filtering to provide high fidelity measurements
• Ability to specify instrumentation wiring needed for various interfacing of data systems and sensors
• Experience crafting and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (NFPA 70 Section 500 installations); Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 environments

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. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company‑paid holidays
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated workforce. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on Know Your Rights, please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affiantative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.