Launch Operations Engineer III - Mechanical Systems

Blue Origin Space Coast, FL

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, you will help manage New Glenn Launch Operations efforts to plan, and perform launch vehicle mechanical system processing, from launch site stage receipt through launch operations at the Orbital Launch Site. The Launch Operations team is responsible for executing all final assembly, stage check-outs, ground system verifications, preflight tests, and day of launch activities. This role is a combination of operations planning, coordination, documentation, hands-on work, and system troubleshooting/data analysis.

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!

Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborate with a small team of engineers responsible for the preparation and launch of New Glenn launch vehicle.
• Become Launch Operation's subject matter expert on vehicle stage delivery to the launch site, vehicle stage mates, vehicle ordnance installation, vehicle rollout to the pad, upending and mechanical system launch countdown operations.
• Coordinate the activities of engineers, technicians, support equipment, outside agencies, and vehicle configurations for testing through launch.
• Develop and be accountable for Launch Operation's Flight Mechanical system requirements, procedures, budgets, and schedules.
• Work with design engineers to plan and perform tests of the ground and vehicle subsystems, ensuring the tests are designed to verify the pertinent requirements.
• Enforce safety policies during test planning and operations.
• Perform primary Test Engineer activities with overall responsibility for the test, the crew, and the procedure.
• Solve real time issues with ground and onboard flight systems in high pressure situations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Engineering, Science, or Math
• 5+ years of demonstrated technical expertise in the operation of aerospace flight and ground support systems in one or more of the following fields: launch vehicle handling, propulsion, pneumatics, hydraulics.
• 3+ years demonstrated field operations experience leading test teams as a Test Conductor or Test Engineer
• Experience with ordnance safety and working with Range Safety personnel and processes
• Demonstrated strong operations planning and organizational skills
• Ability to support occasional off shift work schedules during launch campaigns
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated control room or operations experience in a real-time, intense, and high consequence environment
• Extensive experience with space launch vehicle systems, ground support equipment operations and maintenance, or manufacturing technologies
• Demonstrated successful experience writing technical procedures, non-conformance documentation, and specifications
• Successful experience leading teams who integrate multiple subsystems to meet a top-level system requirement
• Strong safety record and mindset, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical tests and operations
• Strong personnel mentoring skills
• Effective project management, budget management, and team leadership skills
• Experience in sub-contract management of suppliers including requests for proposals, specifications, and statements of work

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, 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 workforce. 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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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