Sr. Test Engineer - Spacecraft Integration (Space Resources) Verified today

About the Role

This position is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's Space Resources Program. The program is developing In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies for the Moon and beyond to prospect, extract, and manufacture infrastructure from space resources.

You will be based entirely on-site, working directly in the lab. You will own test planning, execution, and verification for satellite and subsystem integration campaigns with a hands-on attitude. You will define test requirements and procedures, lead qualification and acceptance testing, drive root-cause investigations on test anomalies and failures, and partner closely with AIT technicians, design engineers, and program leadership to rapidly converge on flight-ready hardware.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and own test plans, procedures, and verification criteria for development, integration, qualification, protoflight, and acceptance testing of satellite and space flight hardware.
• Lead thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and other environmental test campaigns, including hands-on test setup review, execution oversight, real-time monitoring, and data analysis.
• Translate system and subsystem requirements into verifiable test requirements and ensure full test coverage and traceability.
• Direct and support AIT technicians during test setup, execution, and troubleshooting, providing hands-on technical guidance and quality oversight on the lab floor.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting, failure investigation, and root cause analysis of complex mechanical, electrical, and integrated spacecraft systems.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions to closure, with hands-on involvement in test re-runs and verification.
• Review and approve work instructions, test procedures, and non-conformance dispositions in alignment with aerospace test and integration best practices.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts, data acquisition procedures, and analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar to streamline test execution, data reduction, and anomaly detection.
• Analyze test data and generate test reports, summarizing results, anomalies, and recommendations for program stakeholders.
• Collaborate with design, thermal, and subsystem leads to resolve integration issues and ensure producible, testable designs.
• Support development and production activities on space systems and satellites with a pragmatic, right-sized documentation approach appropriate for a rapid-development program.
• Partner with the area supervisor and program leads to align on weekly testing priorities, schedule risks, and resource needs.
• Generate and review job hazard assessments; establish safety controls and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards throughout test operations.
• Identify and remove technical or process blockers impacting daily and weekly testing goals, escalating as needed to keep the program on schedule.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test infrastructure, tooling, and processes to reduce cycle time and increase test throughput.
• Maintain full familiarity with flight hardware deployment procedures and support hands-on integration of flight hardware, including fluid and propulsion systems, star trackers, radios, instrumentation, flight computers, harnesses, and solar array panels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in test engineering, integration and test (I&T), or systems verification, preferably in aerospace, aviation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing test plans and procedures for flight or high-reliability hardware.
• Hands-on experience with thermal vacuum chambers and environmental test equipment.
• Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical assembly, bench testing, and measurement instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and failure investigation methodologies.
• Ability to lead test execution and technician teams with minimal oversight, exercising sound engineering judgment under schedule pressure.
• Comfortable operating with reduced process rigor and documentation typical of rapid-development missions, while maintaining core safety and quality standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience generating test reports and presenting results to technical stakeholders.
• Experience scheduling work and coordinating competing priorities using Jira or similar tools.
• Willingness to work overtime and weekends as needed; comfort spending significant time on the lab floor hands-on with hardware and test systems.
• Able to lift 30 lbs, stand for long periods, bend, grasp, sit, pull, push, stoop, and stretch as required for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Prior experience supporting small-sat or rapid-prototype satellite programs where speed and resourcefulness outweigh heavy process overhead.
• Experience with requirements management and verification tools such as Jama.
• Familiarity with MRP systems and inventory planning.
• Experience writing automation scripts or test software using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar languages and tools to automate test execution, data logging, or anomaly detection.
• Familiarity with data acquisition (DAQ) systems, instrumentation automation, and test control software.
• Experience with high thermal condition testing and complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience mentoring or training AIT technicians.

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for California applicants: $145,188.00 to $203,263.20. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and an Education Support Program. Stock options available for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week. Paid time off up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Bonus eligibility may apply based on role type and job level.

Employment Requirements

Applicants 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.

Background check required for all positions. Additional checks may apply depending on role requirements, including DBIDS if the role requires access to military installations.