Test Engineers | Test Operations Maintenance | Launch Ops

Overview

This individual will join the Test Operations Maintenance team at Launch Site One in Van Horn, TX. The Maintenance team is responsible for the thousands of components and dozens of sub‑systems that make up the structural, fluid, and electrical systems across Blue Origin’s three test sites. In this role you will sustain that hardware and support the initial build and activation of facility upgrades for liquid‑propellant rocket engine testing, thruster testing, and component and rig testing. You will develop maintenance plans, process architecture, maintenance requirement definitions, troubleshoot hardware failures, identify and mitigate risks, create automated data‑review scripts for predictive maintenance, and drive continuous process improvements. Launch Site One is Blue Origin’s West Texas home for engine, thruster, component, and rig testing—a remote, self‑sufficient site where the maintenance team’s work directly gates the pace of testing and flight. This is a 1st‑shift position but may require work outside normal hours to support test operations and maintenance windows. Up to 10 % travel may be required to support other Blue Origin test sites during surge needs, as well as for process and professional development.

Location

Launch Site One, Van Horn, Texas. The West Texas site offers eligible employees additional financial incentives, including a living allowance and relocation assistance. Eligibility is based on the employee’s ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue Origin location at least 50 % of the time.

Responsibilities

• Consistently exhibit strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills; communicate clearly and promptly across all areas of the organization.
• Author work instructions to safely perform maintenance on test facility hardware, including disassembly, inspection, and assembly of mechanical and electro‑mechanical components.
• Identify and define preventative maintenance for test facility hardware, including the support equipment needed to perform maintenance on facility components.
• Perform root‑cause analysis and implement corrective actions for permanent problem resolution.
• Support functional testing of components (valves, filters, regulators, etc.) for acceptance using high‑pressure pneumatics, cryogenics, or hydraulics.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct malfunctions using work instructions.
• Coordinate with external vendors to support preventative maintenance and repair efforts.
• Participate in Test Readiness Reviews and Risk Assessment Reviews to ensure compliance with the Blue Origin Health and Safety Manual.
• Provide technical support for new designs to ensure maintainability and operability.
• Perform operations as a certified operator to support return‑to‑service post‑maintenance, as well as first‑time activation of system upgrades.
• Establish training curriculum for engineers and technicians and proctor training for the team as needed.
• Support robust methods and strategies for sustaining a reasonable inventory of equipment and spares to support facility maintenance.
• Support supervisors and managers in establishing best practices and effective work‑execution strategies.
• Engage with multiple geographic locations and business units to support anomaly resolution, hazard and operability (HazOp) assessments, stand‑by boards, design reviews, and operations and maintenance (O&M) considerations for future facility expansions and upgrades.
• Actively introduce new technologies and capability improvements.
• Identify inefficiencies, capability gaps, and potential improvements in the O&M process; advocate for and implement better solutions.
• Scope, autonomy, and leadership expectations scale with level as described in the Minimum Qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, with years of relevant experience per the level table.
• Experience in a test, propulsion, industrial, energy, or comparable hardware‑rich operating environment.
• Working knowledge of high‑pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, data acquisition, and electrical power systems, commensurate with level.
• Technical fundamentals in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Ability to perform data analysis and establish dispositions or recommendations based on system performance.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, silicon diodes, resistance temperature detectors, flow measurement devices, and accelerometers.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to safely work around pressurized systems up to 6,000 PSIG.
• Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
• Approachable disposition, open‑minded, and able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements.
• Calm demeanor in high‑pressure situations, with the tenacity to resolve conflict and drive permanent problem resolution.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to reliably commute to and work at a remote site located in far West Texas, approximately 25 miles north of Van Horn, TX; relocation to the Van Horn area or a surrounding community is required; a personal vehicle suitable for the commute is required.
• 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct experience working at or with a rocket propulsion test facility.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from concept definition through full implementation.
• Experience with Windchill or a similar product lifecycle management tool.
• Familiarity with CAD applications (Creo preferred).
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, Winplot, or advanced Excel functions (VBA, Power Query, etc.).
• Experience with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and reliability‑centered maintenance methods.
• Working knowledge of aerospace cleanliness specifications for clean‑room activities and manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of fabrication techniques for component hardware modification or creation of spare material from raw stock.
• Experience in a formal or informal leadership position.
• Experience with design tools and methods for facility fluid and/or electrical systems.
• Operational understanding of engines and engine sub‑components such as turbopumps, combustion devices, valves, and other fluid components.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Work is physically active and performed largely outdoors in a high‑desert environment at approximately 4,000 ft elevation.
• Extreme heat exceeding 100 °F in summer, freezing temperatures in winter, high winds, blowing dust, intense sun exposure, and desert wildlife (including venomous snakes and insects).
• Ability to climb ladders and stairs, work at elevation on test‑stand structures, work in confined spaces, lift and carry up to 40 lb, and wear personal protective equipment (including respirators as required).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match up to 5 %.
• 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 comp days.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.