Engine Test 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.

As the Engines Test Engineering Manager for the BE-3U engine program at our Launch Site One test site, 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.

In addition to personnel management responsibilities, you will provide direct technical support to the BE-3U engine program as an individual contributor. You will support testing, review test data, support Data Reviews and Test Readiness Reviews, support anomaly investigations and root cause analysis to drive corrective actions and hardware improvements.

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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Execution of daily engine test activities for the BE-3U program
• Hiring, performance management, and training for the local team of BE-3U propulsion engineers on site at Launch Site One
• Establish and maintain technical standards and best practices for the propulsion engineering team
• Develop tools for engine test planning and execution
• Analyze test execution performance metrics such as non-conformance generation and test cell cycle time to identify opportunities for process improvements and rate improvements
• Coordinate and partner with operations organization to execute engine testing objectives
• Support data review and anomaly investigations
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with team leadership

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in liquid rocket engine testing
• 5+ years of engine test experience
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• Familiarity with rocket engine system operations, verification process and risk management
• Experience with test anomaly investigations
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices
• Experience in project planning and successful execution of projects to cost and schedule targets
• Knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, accelerometers, etc.
• Understanding of cryogenic propellants including Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen

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.

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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 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

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