Engines Test and Flight Manager

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 is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

We are a 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 commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

You will lead a hardworking and accomplished team of rocket engine test engineers, you will set technical direction, build team members to support current and future program needs, be responsible for employee life cycle including hiring, performance management, training and providing tools for career development. You will help to improve technical processes, best practices, and tool development around focused areas of test planning, execution, and development/production cycles.

We seek an individual with a passion for our mission and vision, who applies their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to millions of people living and working in space.

As the Engines Test and Flight Engineering Manager, you will:

• Lead a team of talented rocket engine test engineers.
• Provide daily technical direction with a team of technicians, quality, manufacturing engineers, remote test support, and on-site facility engineers
• Develop team members to meet current and future program needs.
• Manage the employee life cycle, including hiring, performance management, training, and career development.
• Enhance technical processes, best practices, and tools related to test planning, execution, and development/production cycles.

In addition to team management, you will contribute directly to the engine program as an individual contributor (50% manager, 50% contributor):

• Ownership of test campaigns, test processes, test operations, and data review for current and future booster engines
• Develop innovative processes to accelerate test cadence while maintaining quality and safety
• Support all phases of engine testing from activation, executions, inspections, anomaly resolution, and customer delivery
• Leverage testing insight to radically reduce the time and cost of engine development
• Support vehicle/flight operations as necessary 

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering  
• 3+ years of experience in liquid rocket engine testing
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including leading teams, overseeing, guiding, and mentoring fellow engineers
• Desire to work in a cooperative, fast-paced, and dynamic environment, with demonstrated experience working within strict safety protocols and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• In-depth knowledge of engines components, including turbopumps, combustion chambers, injectors, regulators, check valves, electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic valves, actuators, and other fluid system components
• Ability to effectively balance multiple tasks while earning trust, maintaining positive and professional relationships

Desired:  

• M.S. degree or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering  
• Familiarity with rocket engine system operations, verification process and risk management  
• Experience with anomaly investigations  
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices  
• Experience in planning and executing test programs for propulsion systems, including driving to cost and schedule targets.
• Knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples and accelerometers  
• Understanding of a variety of rocket propellants including cryogenic propellants

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 (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

• 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.
• 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 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.

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.