Launch and Test Engineer III (Avionics)

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Up to 25% travel

Job summary

Blue Origin in Cape Canaveral is seeking an experienced avionics test engineer to support flight and ground campaigns. The role spans the Avionics console and fluid/propulsion test stands, with a hybrid-skill emphasis across related systems.

You will work within a safety‑driven culture and be part of a team advancing spaceflight initiatives. As part of Launch Operations, you will design, execute, and optimize test campaigns for New Glenn infrastructure, collaborating with design, quality, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering from an accredited university.
• Direct experience operating or integrating Avionics for cryogenics, fluids, or propulsion test stands.
• Understanding of what avionics readings mean physically (valve actuation, transducer data, tank pressures).
• Real‑time console operations experience with off‑nominal/anomaly response.
• 1+ years developing work instructions or test procedures to implement upgrades, perform maintenance, and verify system performance.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, operate, and maintain test facilities for orbital rockets and related systems at Launch Complex 36 and adjacent locations.
• Generate and execute test procedures involving high-pressure inert and cryogenic fluid systems.
• Lead test operations with technicians and review test data for facility health and performance.
• Develop and maintain test documentation, work instructions, and inspection plans for routine maintenance.
• Support root cause analysis of process or product non-conformances; implement corrective actions.

Skills

Avionics

Fluid systems

Test execution

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering

Tools

HIL/HITL

Job description

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. As part of a hardworking team of diverse specialists, technicians, and test operations engineers, you will work on the design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of test facilities for various launch vehicle and spaceflight systems. This position is based at our Orbital Launch Site (OLS) in Cape Canaveral – home of our orbital-class, reusable New Glenn rocket.

Avionics Specifics

Experienced avionics test engineer with proven depth on the Avionics console, supporting flight and ground avionics during integrated fluid/propulsion and static hotfire test and launch campaigns. This is a hybrid-skill role: strong avionics foundation plus working knowledge of the fluid/propellant systems the avionics commands and monitors.

Position Specific Details

• Shifts*: A | Mon-Fri (Day), B | Mon-Fri (Evening),C | Fri-Sun (Day),D | Fri-Sun (Evening)
• Location: Space Coast, FL
• Relocation: Available
• Potential travel:Up to 25% to support offsite test campaigns (when applicable)
• Note: Shift times are subject to change depending on launch and test cadence variation.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, construct, operate, and maintain test facilities to support the development, qualification, and production of orbital rockets, lunar spacecrafts, and launch vehicle systems at Launch Complex 36 and its adjacent locations, such as Launch Complexes 11 and 12, and at our Merritt Island Launch Annex (MILA) and Module Test Area (MTA – for New Glenn’s first stage aft and forward modules) locations.
• Generate and execute test procedures involving high-pressure inert and non-inert gas systems, cryogenic & hypergolic fluid systems.
• Work with technicians to perform work on test facilities, handle test articles, and lead test operations.
• Review and interpret test data to assess facility health and performance, both at the system and component level
• Size, select, troubleshoot, and properly maintain test, launch, and fluid system components and instrumentation to ensure readiness for test and launch activities.
• Perform Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and Hazard & Operability Studies (HAZOPs) to identify potential process safety incidents, deviations, and operational issues.
• Translate engineering requirements into robust, repeatable test and maintenance processes that support Blue Origin’s mission.
• Collaborate closely with design engineering, quality assurance, supply chain, and production teams to accelerate building a road to space.
• Develop and maintain test documentation, work instructions, and inspection plans for routine and corrective maintenance for ground and test systems.
• Support root cause analysis of process or product non-conformances; develop and implement corrective actions that enhance reliability and performance.
• Ensure all work aligns with applicable quality and safety standards (AS9100, ISO 9001), supporting a safe and sustainable future in space.
• Identify and complete opportunities for efficiency gains, cadence improvement, and cost reduction, optimizing our ability to achieve our mission at scale.

Team Focus & Domain Expertise

The Test and Launch Engineer will drive rate and reliability for New Glenn's critical launch infrastructure – including our massive Transporter/Erector, LC-36 Launch Pad, Mobile Test Stand, and specialized test facilities. You'll join a team that doesn't just maintain these systems but continuously reinvents them to achieve unprecedented launch cadence and reliability. This role requires technical breadth, spanning one or more of the following disciplines: cryogenics, pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanical systems, large-scale structures, electronics, transducers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and software. Curiosity and the ability to rapidly learn across disciplines will be your greatest assets. We empower our engineers to become true subject‑matter experts in their systems, with a deep understanding that drives meaningful innovation. 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 review, 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, maintain the configuration of the facility and equipment, and be well‑versed in the contents of system safety products involving our systems. In addition to maintaining launch readiness, our team will also work to implement and commission engineering design changes that improve safety or reliability. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. Safety excellence is our foundation – our team develops sophisticated engineering approaches to manage complex systems with uncompromising standards. Your commitment to safety‑by‑design will help us simultaneously improve reliability and accelerate operations. The mission is clear: transform our launch infrastructure to support dozens of New Glenn launches annually – a cadence that requires revolutionary thinking, not incremental improvement. When challenges arise, this team rises to meet them, working with intensity and purpose to solve problems that matter. The engineers who thrive here combine technical excellence with relentless drive. They see long‑standing problems as opportunities, possess the courage to champion bold solutions, and feel genuine excitement watching their innovations help launch one of the world's most powerful rockets into orbit. If you're energized by ambitious goals and want your engineering to literally reach space, this is your mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, or related technical field from an accredited university.
• Direct experience operating or integrating Avionics for cryogenics, fluids, or propulsion test stands and tests, and equivalent hands‑on role. (Level I Engineer: 0-2 years, Level II Engineer: 2+ years, Level III Engineer: 5+ years, and Senior Level Engineer: 8+ years).
• Demonstrable understanding of what avionics commands/readings mean physically (valve actuation, transducer data, tank pressures, cryo-load sequences).
• Real‑time console operations experience, including off‑nominal / anomaly response.
• Hands‑on HIL/HITL, EGSE, command & telemetry, harnessing, sensor/instrumentation integration.
• Working knowledge of various systems, ranging from pressurized gas systems, cryogenics, fluid systems, hydraulics, instrumentation and controls, or structural components, depending on discipline.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware and instrumentation related to fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, cryogenics, or similar), with the ability to read schematics and P&IDs.
• 1+ years of experience developing work instructions or test procedures to implement upgrades, perform maintenance, and verify system performance.
• Strong commitment to safety and proven ability to execute or oversee multiple projects in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to support off‑shift, extended hours, and weekends as required for mission milestones.
• 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

• Launch‑campaign console time; DAQ/automation familiarity; New Glenn or comparable launch vehicle experience.
• Experience working with and an excitement to learn a broad spectrum of fluids, including experience with cryogenics, monopropellants, hydraulics, or high‑pressure systems.
• Experience in testing and integrating fluid systems, including ground support systems, cryogenics, and propulsion hardware.
• Experience in developing and verifying installation and operation procedures for mechanical, fluid, or electrical systems.
• Experience with automated test equipment, calibration, and configuration management.
• Knowledge of engineering fundamentals for electrical, mechanical, and fluid design and verification, including test readiness and operational excellence.
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