Test Engineer IV (Senior) | Test Operations Maintenance Verified today

About the Role

You will join the Alabama Test Operations (ATO) Maintenance team at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. The ATO Maintenance team sustains the thousands of components and dozens of sub-systems that make up the historic MSFC 4670 Engine Test Stand facility, including structural, fluid, and electrical systems, as well as component test capabilities supporting engine factory checkout areas.

Your premier capability is full-scale liquid propellant rocket engine testing at Test Stand 4670. You will sustain that hardware and support the initial build and activation of facility upgrades in support of development, qualification, and acceptance testing of Blue Origin engines and their components.

What You Will Own

• Maintenance plans, process architecture, and maintenance requirement definition for test facility hardware
• Troubleshooting hardware failures, risk identification and mitigation
• Automated data review scripts to support predictive maintenance
• Continuous process improvements across test operations
• 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 support equipment
• 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
• 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, and 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
• Engage with multiple geographic locations and business units to support anomaly resolution, hazard and operability (HazOp) assessments, stand boards, design reviews, and operations and maintenance considerations for future facility expansions
• Actively introduce new technologies and capability improvements
• Identify inefficiencies, capability gaps, and potential improvements in the O&M process

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 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 tenacity to resolve conflict and drive permanent problem resolution
• A safety first, continuous improvement mindset
• 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
• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Redstone Arsenal

Experience by Level

Test Engineer III: B.S. plus 6 years, or M.S. plus 4 years. Owns major systems and their maintenance strategy; leads root cause investigations and projects from concept through activation; mentors junior engineers and technicians.

Senior Test Engineer: B.S. plus 10 years, or M.S. plus 8 years. Sets facility-wide maintenance architecture and standards; drives cross-site and cross-BU alignment; serves as technical authority in reviews and boards; leads capital upgrade and activation campaigns.

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 environmental (thermal/vacuum/vibration), proof, and flow testing of flight components
• 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

Work Schedule and Travel

This is a 1st shift position but will require the ability to perform job duties outside of normal shift hours as needed 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.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Test Operations is a physically active, all-four-seasons role with both indoor and outdoor work requirements, including exposure to rain, wind, cold, heat, and high humidity typical of the Tennessee Valley. The role requires the ability to climb ladders and stairs, work at elevation on test stand structures, work in confined spaces, lift and carry up to 40 lbs, and wear personal protective equipment including respirators as required.

Benefits

• 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%
• Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays