MK1 HIL/VTB Design Engineer

blueorigin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin in Renton, WA is seeking a hands-on hardware design engineer to lead the build of VTB/HIL test beds for MK1 SN102, SN103, and SN104. You will produce CAD models, drawings, and wiring schemes, while ensuring manufacturability and repeatable assembly.

The role requires 2+ years in electromechanical hardware or avionics, Creo proficiency, strong problem-solving, and clear documentation; on-site work is required in Renton, WA, with a path to contribute to safer, more affordable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace engineering, or related technical field.
• 2+ years of industry experience in hardware design, build, and integration of complex electromechanical or avionics systems.
• Proficiency with Creo for mechanical design, drawings, and configuration control.
• Working knowledge of design for manufacturability and assembly principles.
• Excellent problem investigation skills and proficiency with standard electronic lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power meters, data acquisition cards, etc.).
• Solid understanding of configuration management principles.
• Ability to earn trust and maintain positive and professional relationships.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful residence is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the detailed hardware design and build of the VTB/HIL systems for MK1 SN102, SN103, and SN104.
• Produce CAD models and drawings for test bed structures, panels, racks, enclosures, and mounting, and drive designs to release.
• Design for manufacturability and assembly to enable efficient build, wiring, and maintenance.
• Design, build, and bring up avionics emulators, breakout hardware, and electrical ground support equipment for test beds.
• Adapt and replicate VTB designs across multiple vehicle configurations, capturing differences between SN102, SN103, and SN104.
• Own day-to-day health of the lab: troubleshoot and minimize downtime to keep test beds available for testing.
• Drive continuous improvement of the VTB/HIL infrastructure and fold fixes into the design baseline.
• Support tests in the lab, collaborating with test teams during execution.
• Own configuration control of hardware design artifacts through full lifecycle.
• Coordinate with VTB System Engineer to translate architecture and test requirements into buildable designs.
• Support integration and checkout of flight avionics, hardware, operator consoles, and test equipment.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and technicians to support fabrication, assembly, and rework.

Skills

Hardware design

Electromechanical systems

Creo

Design for manufacturability

Lab equipment expertise

Configuration management

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical or aerospace engineering or related technical degree

MS degree preferred

Tools

Creo

Zuken E3

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

Power meters

Data acquisition cards

Job description

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of engineers and technicians, you will lead the detailed design and build of the Vehicle Test Bed (VTB) and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) systems for Blue Origin's Lunar Landers, with a focus on standing up test beds for the MK1 SN102, SN103, and SN104 vehicles. You will turn VTB architecture into buildable, manufacturable, flight-representative hardware, including avionics emulators, mechanical and electrical assemblies, and ground support equipment, and you will keep those test beds healthy and available once they are running. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention. 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 looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, hands‑on design skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Because of the need for hands‑on work, this position requires on‑site work at Renton, WA.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the detailed hardware design and build of the VTB/HIL systems for MK1 SN102, SN103, and SN104
• Produce CAD models and drawings for test bed structures, panels, racks, enclosures, and mounting, and drive designs to release
• Design for manufacturability and assembly, making sure test bed hardware can be built, wired, and maintained efficiently and repeatably
• Design, build, and bring up avionics emulators, breakout hardware, and electrical ground support equipment for the test beds
• Adapt and replicate VTB designs across multiple vehicle configurations, capturing configuration differences between SN102, SN103, and SN104
• Own the day to day health of the lab: troubleshoot and resolve emergent issues quickly to minimize downtime and keep the test beds available for testing
• Drive continuous improvement of the VTB/HIL infrastructure, folding fixes and upgrades back into the design baseline
• Support tests running in the lab as needed, working alongside the test teams during execution
• Own configuration control of hardware design artifacts, including CAD, drawings, and harness documentation through the full lifecycle
• Partner with the VTB System Engineer to translate architecture and test requirements into detailed, buildable designs
• Support integration and checkout of flight avionics, hardware, operator consoles, and test equipment into the VTB
• Coordinate with manufacturing and technicians to support fabrication, assembly, and rework

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related technical degree
• 2+ years of industry experience in hardware design, build, and integration of complex electromechanical or avionics systems
• Proficiency with Creo for mechanical design, drawings, and configuration control
• Working knowledge of design for manufacturability and assembly principles
• Excellent problem investigation skills and proficiency in the use of standard electronic lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power meters, data acquisition cards, etc.)
• Solid understanding and appreciation for configuration management principles
• Ability to earn trust and maintain positive and professional relationships
• 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

• M.S. degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related technical degree
• Experience designing or building avionics emulators or hardware-in-the-loop test assets
• Experience building or replicating test beds across multiple vehicle or product configurations
• Experience maintaining and continuously improving an active test lab or integration environment
• Experience designing electrical harnessing and interconnect, including Zuken E3 or similar EDA tooling
• Experience defining, designing, and operating electrical ground support equipment and labs

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $99,201.00 - $138,880.35

Other site ranges may differ

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, 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

• Benefits include: 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/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 work force. 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 Affl...