Test Engineer (Hypergolic) | Mid to Senior Level | Engines Verified today
About the Role
Blue Origin is hiring Test Engineers at Level 2 and Level 3 to support and lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of test operations for hypergolic rocket engines and components at our West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX.
Depending on your experience, you will contribute to or lead test campaigns across the full test design and execution cycle from initial planning and hardware integration through execution, data analysis, and post-test review.
Level 2 Engineers
Apply developing professional expertise to support safe and repeatable test operations with minimal oversight, while building technical leadership capabilities within a collaborative team environment.
Level 3 Engineers
Serve as technical leaders, owning critical test campaigns, mentoring junior engineers and technicians, and driving cross-functional safety, reliability, and process improvement efforts for human spaceflight systems.
Responsibilities (All Levels)
- Support or lead daily test operations, operate test consoles, and execute test procedures
- Contribute to or lead test planning and implementation for hypergolic rocket engine and component test campaigns
- Participate in or lead test readiness reviews, activation reviews, pre- and post-test briefings, and test data reviews
- Develop, refine, and update test procedures and work instructions
- Assist with or oversee hardware integration, including pre- and post-test inspections
- Troubleshoot fluid systems, instrumentation, and test support equipment
- Perform data review, reduction, and performance analysis to support post-test assessments
- Read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, P&IDs, and engineering drawings
- Participate in or lead root cause analyses and development of corrective actions
- Identify and support implementation of safety improvements and cost-reduction opportunities
- Contribute to continuous advancement of test stand processes and automation systems
- Serve as member of or technical leader during HAZMAT emergency response situations
- Perform work while wearing SCBA and other required PPE
- Successfully complete annual medical physical and physical ability/fitness assessment
- Perform physically demanding emergency response tasks
- Subject to random drug testing
Level 3 Additional Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership and direction for test campaigns from initial planning through final execution
- Mentor junior test engineers and technicians, fostering professional development and technical growth
- Build, procure, and install test support equipment; manage vendors and subcontractors
- Lead cross-functional Root Cause and Corrective Action Boards
- Lead technical coordination with internal and external customers
- Serve as technical leader during HAZMAT emergency response situations
Required Qualifications
Level 2
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field
- 2 or more years of experience in a testing environment or related hands-on engineering role
- Working knowledge of engineering and testing fundamentals, including fluids and thermodynamics
- Experience executing test procedures
- Demonstrated familiarity with data analysis
- Ability to read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, and engineering drawings
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Ability to make quick, sound decisions in emergency situations while maintaining composure under stress
- Ability to pass pre-employment medical physical and physical ability/fitness assessment
- Ability to obtain Hazardous Materials Technician certification within 3 months of hire
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylee
Level 3
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field
- At least 5 years of experience assisting test teams in the role of test engineer or console operator
- Established professional expertise and comprehensive understanding of engineering fundamentals across test cycles
- Experience troubleshooting hardware and instrumentation related to fluid systems, with ability to read schematics and P&IDs
- Experience developing, writing, and updating test procedures
- Demonstrated track record of safe operations during nominal testing and in response to stand anomalies
- Strong technical writing and interpersonal skills
- Experience directing Root Cause and Corrective Action Boards
- Demonstrated leadership in project management or directing test activities
- Ability to make quick, sound decisions in emergency situations while maintaining composure under stress
- Ability to successfully complete pre-employment medical examination and physical ability/fitness test
- Ability to acquire Hazardous Materials Technician certification within 3 months of hire
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylee
Desired Qualifications
Level 2
- M.S. in engineering with experimental lab experience
- Rocketry experience through internships or club activities
- Experience with hypergolic propellants or other toxic/reactive propulsion fluids
- Experience designing, fabricating, or operating fluid systems
- Knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, and flow meters
- Hands-on experience integrating test articles and sub-assemblies
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, MATLAB, or other control/data acquisition software
- Familiarity with CAD applications (Creo preferred)
- 3 or more years of emergency response experience (fire, HAZMAT, or industrial)
- Demonstrated proficiency with SCBA and supplied-air respirator (SAR) systems
- Completion of 40-hour HAZWOPER training
- Current Hazardous Materials Technician certification
- Completion of FEMA/NIMS courses: IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100, ICS-200
Level 3
- M.S. in engineering with experimental lab experience
- Over 8 years of experience in rocket propulsion test operations
- Experience designing test systems and facilities for propulsion hardware