Mechanical Launch Vehicle Engineer III

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Karman line - the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight!

As a launch vehicle engineer, you will support the refurbishment cycles of the fielded flight vehicles by creating and implementing design changes, identifying and dispositioning non-conformances, supporting preflight integrated vehicle testing, and leading all aspects of preventative vehicle maintenance in the Crew Capsule's Primary Decelerator, Separation, and Escape subsystems. You will support the Vehicle Managers in performing risk assessment before rollout of the vehicles for launch. You will also support flight operations through ops product development and as Engineering Back Room support in mission control. Following a New Shepard mission, you will perform post-flight data reviews of your assigned systems and work hand in hand with the maintenance team, review inspection results and implement repairs and upgrades to get the vehicle ready for another safe flight.

You will have to learn and understand the vehicle systems as well as the requirements that govern our standards and practices. You will implement that knowledge to write safe and executable work instructions and revise procedures to enable efficiencies and expand capabilities. You will collaborate across teams to assure replacements and spares are ready for vehicle integration. Every day, our team draws upon a wide breadth of engineering skills, along with a team of highly experienced technicians to improve our processes and the refurbishment workflow.

This is a job that requires you to be a hands-on, highly collaborative, and energetic individual who always welcomes a challenge. You are motivated to do or learn whatever is necessary to achieve our goals while maintaining the high standards essential for safe human spaceflight. At Blue Origin, you'll benefit from working alongside highly skilled and technically proficient colleagues who are eager to share their knowledge and help you succeed. Passion for our mission and vision is required, and you'll have the support of our expert team to grow and excel in your role!

This position can be located in either Kent, WA or Van Horn, TX - working either a rotational schedule (16 day-on and 12 day-off rotation) or regular M-F.

Special Mentions:

• Location options: Kent, WA OR Van Horn, TX
• Relocation provided
• Travel expected:
  • TX based: 10% of time to other Blue Origin sites (primarily WA)
  • WA based: 25% of time to other Blue Origin sites (primarily TX)
• Shifts available:
  • Mon-Fri, 1st shift
  • 16/12 (16 on, 12 off), 10hr days

Van Horn Specific information

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employee's additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance. Eligibility for these additional benefits is based on the employee's ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue location a minimum of 50% of the time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience in the maintenance and operation of aerospace, marine, automotive, or ground support systems.
• 8+ years (depending on level) of proven technical experience in the operation or maintenance of systems in one or more of the following fields: propulsion, pneumatics, cryogenics, energetics, avionics, hydraulics, life support, test engineering, launch operations.
• Knowledge and practical application with all basic engineering fields - mechanisms, fluids, electrical, software, etc.
• Experienced in reading, interpreting, and generating engineering drawings and CAD models and applying their specific intent.
• Proficient and proven technical communication ability, including written, visual, and verbal, to wide audiences of varying backgrounds.
• Maintains clarity and composure under pressure in dynamic environments.
• Able to provide solutions to a variety of technical problems of moderate scope and complexity, referencing and applying company policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates strong planning, organizational, and multitasking skills, capable of prioritizing and managing multiple concurrent issues while ensuring effective communication with customers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in identifying and resolving non-conformances, with the ability to train and mentor others through industry best practices and problem-solving techniques.
• Willingness to relocate to, or perform extended rotations to, our remote launch site.
• 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.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with traditional NDE and metrology tools and methods.
• Demonstrated track record in the full lifecycle management of mechanical systems and components within Aerospace or a related field.
• Experience in operation, design, acceptance testing, or refurbishment of crewed (human-occupied) vehicles in aerospace, land, or marine environments.
• Parachute rigging, design, or testing experience.
• Familiarity with data reduction and performance analysis.
• Experience in component modeling and structural analysis.
• Certification in ordnance handling and familiarity with pyrotechnic devices and/or solid rocket motors.

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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 (DIBDS) 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, 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.

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.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 "EEO Is the Law," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

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