Test Engineer III - Vacuum Test Stations

Blue Origin; Washington; On-site; USD 121,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Stock options

Paid time off

401(k) match

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Test Engineer III to design, build, and operate propulsion development test stations for development and high-rate production. You will own the facilities, lead test planning, and coordinate with teams to validate propulsion systems for flight hardware in a production-like environment.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience with electric propulsion tests, safety-focused operations, and the ability to mentor teammates while delivering reliable test results in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Science in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, physics, or systems engineering.
• 5+ years in propulsion development, production, and test.
• Experience with flight hardware in production facility or laboratory.
• Working knowledge of electric propulsion principles and test practices.
• Experience commissioning development or production test stations for electric propulsion vacuum hot fire tests.

Responsibilities

• Design, procure, assemble, and operate propulsion development test facilities for system and subsystem-level tests.
• Documentation and leading discussion of test results, conclusions, and recommended path forward for test and test article development.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on delivery of large and long lead test equipment requiring detailed facility layouts.
• Work closely with mechanical design and manufacturing teams to provide Test for Design insight in test reviews.
• Author test plans, test procedures, and test software for high quality and automated testing where appropriate.
• Develop practices for test data aggregation, SPC, and data visualization for high-rate production.
• Conduct test station design reviews and test readiness reviews for your tests.
• Define test requirements and objectives, ensuring effective characterization of system development and product requirements.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate cost, schedule, and technical risks.
• Plan scaling activities for development and production test capacity to support concurrent high-rate production.

Skills

Propulsion testing

Test station design

Electric propulsion

Safety and hazard operations

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Mentoring/training

Education

Bachelor's in relevant field

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

TestStand

C++

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-rate 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 National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs. As a member of the Blue National Security (BNS) propulsion team, you will play a foundational role in the development of the Hall thruster-based propulsion systems that maneuver the constellation satellites as well as the propulsion team itself. As a Test Engineer III, you will support the development of the propulsion team’s facilities for development and production acceptance test. You will own the design and construction of the team’s development test stations and work with propulsion team members to execute testing that informs the development of the propulsion system. Successful candidates will utilize their experience in aerospace testing to design, assemble, and validate test stations and test plans for product development and high-rate production. A preferred candidate will have experience in electric propulsion system and subsystem testing at production rates including experience specifically in electric propulsion hot fire testing in suitable vacuum test facilities. If you share our passion for propulsion system development and testing, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross-functional teams of diverse individuals, are experienced and skilled in several relevant technologies listed below, continuously seek out opportunities to learn and improve, and do not allow title or job description to limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, then we would love to hear from you.

Special Considerations

Relocation provided Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities

• Design, procure, assemble, and operate propulsion development test facilities for system and subsystem-level tests.
• Documentation and leading discussion of test results, conclusions, and recommended path forward for test and test article development.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on delivery of large and long lead test equipment requiring detailed facility layouts and specialized facility infrastructure.
• Work closely with mechanical design and manufacturing team members to provide Design for Test insight in test article design reviews.
• Author test plans, test procedures, and test SW for high quality and, where appropriate, automated testing.
• Develop practices for test data aggregation, statistical process control, and data visualization with scalability to high-rate production.
• Conduct test station design reviews and test readiness reviews for your tests.
• Define test requirements and objectives, ensuring effective characterization of system development and coverage of product requirements.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate cost, schedule, and technical risks.
• Plan scaling activities for development and production test capacity to support concurrent high-rate production and sustained, continuous product improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Systems Engineering, or related technical subject area.
• 5+ years of career experience in propulsion system development, production, and test.
• Experience working with flight hardware in a production facility, or laboratory.
• Working knowledge of electric propulsion (e.g., ion, Hall-effect) principles and test practices.
• Demonstrated experience in the creation and commissioning of development or production test stations for electric propulsion vacuum hot fire tests.
• Experience working safely with compressed gasses, high pressure test systems, vacuum chambers, and high voltage assemblies.
• Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Strong safety demeanor and experience, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Enthusiasm for mentoring, training, knowledge sharing, and supporting the technical development of team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Systems Engineering, or related technical subject area.
• Experience developing test infrastructure drawings/documentation, configuring test articles, and conducting testing of propulsion systems or sub systems.
• Functional knowledge of common electric propulsion test equipment (power supplies, data acquisition systems, pump systems, leak detection equipment, motion stages, DMMs, etc.) and test SW used to control, automate, and monitor their use (Python, LabView, Grafana, TestStand, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, engineering industry standards, and technical requirements.
• Experience conducting thermal, vibration, shock, and/or vacuum testing on flight hardware in accordance with MIL-STD-810, SMC-S-016, and MIL-STD-1540.
• Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.
• Proven experience and successful track record developing/starting new test processes.
• Electric propulsion production system and/or subsystem testing experience.
• Experience developing a propulsion system from concept to production.
• Experience scaling and optimizing tests and test practices for higher production rates.
• Conducting tests and resolving non-conformances is a high-rate production environment.
• Experience performing limited design (CAD) work to draft test fixturing/tool needs.
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to quickly learn and use various software tools as needed.
• Experience with AS9100 Quality Management System.
• Experience with analytical and scripting tools: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, or C++.
• Experience development, deployment, maintenance, and version control test scripts/SW.
• Experience with requirements development/management tools and lifecycle management (PLM) tools.

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20 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. 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. 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. Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. At Blue, 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.

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

• 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 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.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!