BE-4 Launch Operations Engineer

Application close date:

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

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.

You will work with a team of engineers as a member of the BE-4 Vehicle Integration and Flight Support team to supports our vehicle customer as they integrate and fly BE-4 engines. It will be your responsibility to advise our customers as they integrate our engines into the flight vehicle, verify the installation, and certify the installation for flight. Leading up to day-of-launch, the flight team will report engine status at Mission and Flight Readiness Reviews and work with a team of responsible engineers (RE) to write, review, and execute launch procedures. You will provide engineering support in launch/mission control during flight, analyze flight data, lead engine subsystem data reviews, and provide feedback on flight data results to the customer base, designers, and component owners for implementation into future engine upgrades.

As part of this role, you will use your system engineering skills to lead and support development of the specifications that are used for engine integration into the flight vehicle, development of flight level ConOps, and be a general voice for the Engines group at the launch site.

 

Aside from direct launch and flight support, you will serve as Engines point of contact for the vehicle customer, lead problem solving efforts and assist to disposition non-conformances. As subject matter expert in launch vehicle and flight operations you will help establish standards to streamline the engine integration and checkout process to minimize schedule impacts and identify, communicate, and mitigate risks. If required, you will also lead anomaly investigations.

 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering or physics
• 5+ years proven ability in propulsion development, test, or launch/flight operations
• Strong understanding and ability to apply engineering fundamentals including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and structures
• Prior experience with propulsion systems and launch vehicle operations
• Prior experience in test and flight data analysis
• Strong understanding of cryogenic propellants (liquid natural gas and liquid oxygen)
• Working knowledge of engine components such as turbomachinery, valves, combustion devices, and other high pressure and cryogenic fluid system components
• Understands instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, and accelerometers
• Proven track record to identify and handle risks in a sophisticated dynamic system
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices
• Desire to work in a collaborative, fast paced, and multifaceted environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel to support flight and test activities
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our 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

• Advanced degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering or physics
• Experience with liquid rocket engine testing
• Experience with data processing and writing automated data scripts in Python

 

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.