AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Sr. NDT Engineer Verified today

Blue Origin · Space Coast, FL · Production · first seen 2026-09-09
Apply at Blue Origin →

About the Role

As a Senior NDT Engineer in Blue Origin Operations, you will lead development and production NDT activities for spaceflight systems supporting New Glenn (launch vehicle) and Lunar (space systems) programs. You will own inspection challenges end-to-end, setting technical direction, developing novel methods, and mentoring the team while directly assuring part integrity, quality, and life for hardware that flies.

This role works across the full range of NDT methods: dye penetrant (PT), magnetic particle (MT), eddy current (ET), ultrasonic (UT), and radiography (RT), applied to metallic, composite, and bonded flight hardware as well as ground support equipment (GSE) and structural systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own NDT inspection across flight hardware and ground support equipment using PT, MT, ET, UT, and RT techniques across the full development and production cycle.
  • Set technical direction for technique development, procedure authoring, and reference standard design across multiple NDT methods.
  • Provide advanced inspection support for automated NDT systems for specialized applications.
  • Lead anomaly investigations and root cause analyses, developing recovery and corrective actions for major-scope non-conformances on mission-critical hardware.
  • Drive strategy and decision-making for inspection capacity and capability, including specification, procurement, and stand-up of inspection systems to scale rate production.
  • Develop and qualify novel NDT methods for atypical inspections; guide their maturation into production-ready capability.
  • Partner upstream with design teams to maximize hardware inspectability; own technical reviews and documentation, and support external reviews as a prime technical contact.
  • Develop and manage relationships with external suppliers, serving as an organizational technical spokesperson on advanced projects.
  • Establish clear acceptance criteria and regularly review inspection decisions and quality outcomes across all NDT methods.
  • Train, certify, and mentor Level I/II inspectors and junior engineers per Blue Origin's written practice (NAS 410 equivalent); set technical frameworks and capture best practices at the functional level.

Location and Schedule

This role is based at Rocket Park, Space Coast, FL. Schedule is B-Shift (4:30pm-1am). Travel up to 25% to support test campaigns (e.g., static/pressure testing) and NDT supplier sites.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Technical Bachelor's or Master's degree (engineering, physics, or related discipline).
  • Typically 12+ years of relevant NDT engineering experience (or equivalent).
  • ASNT Level III in two or more NDT methods (UT, RT, PT, MT, or ET), with extensive hands-on inspection experience across metallic and/or composite aerospace structures.
  • Established professional expertise across the full inspection development and execution cycle: technique design, hazard identification, verification, and test.
  • Demonstrated track record of independently developing solutions to complex problems requiring in-depth evaluation of variable factors, and leading root cause analyses.
  • Experience determining optimal parameters, techniques, and calibrations across multiple NDT methods, and dispositioning data on critical structures.
  • Ability to read and understand blueprints and schematic diagrams.
  • Knowledge of NDT personnel certification practices (NAS 410 or equivalent) and AS9100.
  • Demonstrated ability to earn trust, mentor, and represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
  • 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

  • ASNT Level II/III (or substantive expertise) in Infrared/Thermography (IR), Shearography, and/or Terahertz (THz).
  • Experience inspecting both aerospace flight hardware and ground support equipment (GSE) and structural systems.
  • Certification or substantive experience across five or more NDT methods.
  • Experience in Probability of Detection (POD) studies.
  • Experience with automated/robotic data acquisition and building scan paths in a 3D software environment.
  • Software/automation coding experience: SQL, Python, C++, C#, Intel Intrinsics.
  • Knowledge of industry NDT standards (NAS 410, ASTM E2580, E2533, E1495, E317, AMS-STD-2154).
  • ABET-accredited mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or materials science and engineering degree.
  • Ionizing radiation safety credential or third-party IRRSP certification (for RT support).
  • Aerospace production or R&D experience; knowledge of metallic and composite fabrication processes.

Employment Details

Blue Origin offers medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match of up to 5%, Education Support Program, stock options for regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week), and up to four weeks paid time off per year plus up to 14 company-paid holidays.