Senior Test Engineer

Application close date:

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!

As a senior member of the Tera Wave propulsion team, you will play a foundational role in the development of the Hall thruster-based propulsion systems that maneuver the Tera Wave constellation satellites as well as the propulsion team itself. Tera Wave is a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6

Tbpsanywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise,data center,and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will lead 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 make tactical decisions on scalable test practices and plan for high-rate production as well as use that experience to lead and mentor junior team members.

A preferred candidate will have experience in electric propulsion system and subsystem testing at production rates including experience safely executing high pressure testing, low pressure flow system testing, as well as Hall thruster hot fire testing in 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, 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 include but are not limited to:

• 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.
• Technical contributions to the growth of the team through assisting in hiring, identifying team skill gaps, and mentoring junior team members.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on delivery of large and long lead test stations 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.
• Defining the propulsion team's test processes and workflows for successful and scalable test operations.
• 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.
• 8+ 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 high pressure assemblies, low pressure flow systems, and/or electric propulsion vacuum test facilities.
• 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.
• Strong safety demeanor and experience, including hands-on…