Propulsion Engineer II (BE-3U Valves)

Blue Origin; Washington; On-site; USD 99,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life ins.

Stock options

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in Washington is seeking a Test Engineer for valves and fluid components in the BE-3U Engine team. You will validate valve performance across qualification tests, develop test hardware, and analyze data to support flight-qualified hardware.

You will report to the Valves Product Team Lead and contribute to safe, reliable propulsion hardware through design, testing, and data-driven problem solving.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in engineering (aerospace/mechanical/electrical/physics desired).
• Experience with valve or cryogenic components is preferred.
• 2+ years in a related field and strong data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with GD&T and data acquisition is required.
• Proficiency in Python and test instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Own valve component testing through qualification and acceptance.
• Design and develop testing hardware and data acquisition setups.
• Develop test plans, work orders, and test reports.
• Set up, operate, and maintain test stands across multiple tests.
• Investigate anomalies and participate in root cause analysis.
• Support Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Data acquisition

Python

Test instrumentation

Vibration testing

Fluid mechanics

Heat transfer

Finite element/thermodynamics

Education

B.S. in engineering

M.S. in engineering (desired)

Tools

Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5+

Windchill 10

DAH/DAQ hardware & software

Job description

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 the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human 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, 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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will test and qualify flight critical valve and fluid system components (Main propellant Valves, coolant control valves, and related components) for the BE-3U Engine. You will have responsibilities through out the full product life-cycle from initial requirements and verification planning through flight qualification including test support, performing test data reviews, processing non-conforming hardware and writing technical reports. You will need to have a background in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, and testing/data acquisition to be successful. You will be reporting directly to the Valves Product Team Lead within the BE-3U Engine Team. 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!

Key Responsibilities

• Valve Component Qualification and Acceptance
• Own valve component testing through qualification and acceptance, ensuring designs meet rigorous safety, reliability, and performance standards
• Examine non-conforming hardware and develop effective technical resolutions in a timely manner
• Oversee component level acceptance and qualification testing, ensuring compliance with design requirements and goals
• Design and develop component testing hardware, including mechanical design of fixtures, electrical control boxes and harnesses, data acquisition systems, etc.
• Developing and owning test plans, authoring work orders, and authoring test reports
• Test Engineering Set up, integrate, and operate test stands for valve and fluid component acceptance testing across proof, leak, thermal, vibration, and dynamic performance disciplines
• Develop, modify, and maintain data acquisition configurations and test automation routines in Python; build and validate channel lists, signal conditioning, and derived measurements
• Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot instrumentation: Motor controllers, voltage/current sensors, accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, mass flow meters, load cells, and voltage/current sensors
• Support investigation of test anomalies and non-conformances; participate in root cause analysis and corrective action
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test cycle time, fixture reuse, and data quality through Kaizen and other improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering discipline (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or physics desired)
• Familiarity with valve, fluid system, or cryogenic component design and development
• 2+ years of industry experience in a related field
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Familiarity with data analysis and data processing
• Familiarity with Python
• Strong data acquisition skills
• Working proficiency with common test instrumentation: accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, flow meters, multimeters
• 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.
• Desired M.S. in engineering discipline or higher
• Computer aided design (CAD) experience
• Experience with Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5 or greater, Windchill 10
• Strong technical fundamentals in propulsion, fluids, thermodynamics
• Strong knowledge of cryogenic valve design process and hardware fabrication techniques
• Direct experience with DAQ hardware and software in a production or qualification test environment
• Demonstrated experience running vibration testing on electrodynamic shaker tables, including sine, random, and shock profiles or in other hands on test environments
• Electrical testing and GSE fabrication/troubleshooting

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.

Additional Commitment

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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