Test Engineer III (Early Product life cycle Development Testing)

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

You will own the design and execution of first-principles-driven experiments and tests that validate critical technologies before they are integrated into flight systems. This is a hands-on lab-centric role for someone who enjoys solving open-ended physics and engineering problems building novel test rigs and rapidly learning from data.

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

• Lead early-life-cycle technology de-risking:

  • Translate ambiguous performance and reliability questions into testable hypotheses and structured test plans.
  • Identify key physics and engineering risks (thermal electrical materials vacuum contamination) and design experiments to de-risk them early.
  • Apply first-principles reasoning to bound expected behavior and define success criteria.

• Design and operate tests in extreme environments:

  • Own the setup operation and maintenance of test systems for high-voltage high-current high-temperature hardware in vacuum and inert gas environments.
  • Develop and execute tests involving high-power electrical components high-temperature materials joints and coatings including thermal cycling and long-duration high-temperature exposure.
  • Implement and validate safety interlocks grounding shielding and safe operating envelopes for high-energy systems.

• Develop test architecture procedures and safety documentation:

  • Lead the development documentation and continuous improvement of test plans Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and test readiness checklists.
  • Conduct and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) ensuring all systems and subsystems satisfy technical and safety requirements.
  • Champion Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) best practices for high-voltage and high-temperature testing in vacuum and inert gas environments.

• Design and build hardware and test fixtures:

  • Design analyze at appropriate fidelity and assemble custom test fixtures and experimental hardware to support unique R&D test campaigns.
  • Select materials and processes suitable for high temperature and vacuum/argon exposure (e.g. refractory metals ceramics seals feedthroughs insulators brazes welds adhesives).
  • Create and review CAD models and drawings and coordinate fabrication with internal or external machine shops.

• Manage instrumentation controls and data acquisition:

  • Specify and integrate sensors and instrumentation (such as thermocouples RTDs pyrometers pressure gauges flow meters voltage and current probes).
  • Configure and operate data acquisition (DAQ) and basic control systems for automated or semi-automated testing.
  • Modify existing DAQ/control scripts (e.g. LabVIEW Python or similar) to support new test needs custom sequences or safety logic.

• Troubleshoot and perform failure analysis:

  • Diagnose issues in custom and commercial test systems (hardware wiring software vacuum thermal performance) using a methodical physics-based approach.
  • Perform root cause and failure analysis on test anomalies including post-test and post-flight inspection and data review.
  • Translate findings into design updates test improvements or new requirements for flight-like systems.

• Collaborate and communicate across disciplines:

  • Work closely with mechanical electrical materials and systems engineers to align test objectives with product requirements.
  • Clearly communicate test methods limitations and results to a broad engineering audience including uncertainty quantification and comparison to models.
  • Mentor and guide team members in test operations safety practices and first-principles problem solving.

• Support laboratory operations:

  • Oversee the installation operation and maintenance of vacuum chambers furnaces high-current power supplies and associated test infrastructure.
  • Manage laboratory chemical and material waste coordinating proper disposal procedures with EHS.
  • Maintain a clean organized and safe lab environment suitable for frequent R&D iteration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Materials Science/Engineering Metallurgy Physics or a closely related field.
• 5 years of hands-on laboratory or test experience in one or more of the following:
  • High-temperature testing (furnaces heaters thermal cycling or thermal vacuum).
  • Vacuum chamber or inert gas (e.g. argon) test operations.
  • High-voltage and/or high-current power systems and associated safety practices.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing first-principles-driven experiments or tests (e.g. defining hypotheses sizing hardware from physics estimating margins).
• Experience planning and executing assembly/disassembly and commissioning sequences for complex test setups or rigs.
• Advanced proficiency in drafting and updating SOPs JHAs and detailed test documentation.
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Data acquisition systems and sensors (temperature pressure voltage current etc.).
  • Troubleshooting and maintaining lab instruments and equipment.
• Basic proficiency with CAD tools for designing test fixtures and experimental setups.
• Familiarity with safety standards for high-voltage/high-current systems vacuum operations and high-temperature equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present data and tradeoffs clearly.
• Proven self-directed problem solver with attention to detail and a strong bias for safe high-quality execution.
• Ability to lift or move lab equipment up to 40 lbs as needed.
• Ability to work on extended hours and late shifts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Materials Science/Engineering metallurgy or Physics.
• 5 years of relevant experience in early product development R&D testing or advanced technology maturation in aerospace or similar high-consequence industries.
• Experience with In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies power/thermal systems or other aerospace subsystems.
• Hands-on experience with:
  • High-temperature materials (refractory metals ceramics composites) and thermal analysis (steady-state and transient).
  • Materials and process selection for vacuum and inert gas environments (outgassing contamination insulation sealing joining).
  • High-voltage test setups including interlocks creepage/clearance and arc/flash mitigation.
• Ability to write or modify control/DAQ scripts in Python LabVIEW or C/C.
• Experience designing mechanical and/or electromechanical systems and mechanisms for test or flight.
• Demonstrated experience with environmental testing (thermal vacuum vibration thermal cycling) for space missions including applicable standards or best practices.
• Experience conducting formal root cause analyses (e.g. 5-Whys fishbone diagrams FMEA) for test anomalies.
• Proven ability to lead complex test campaigns and work effectively across multiple disciplines (mechanical electrical materials systems operations).

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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

• 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.

• 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys 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.

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