Test Engineer III - Vacuum Test Stations Verified today
About the Role
As a Test Engineer III with Blue National Security (BNS), you will support development of propulsion test facilities for the Hall thruster-based systems that maneuver Blue Ring constellation satellites. You will own the design and construction of development test stations and work with the propulsion team to execute testing that informs system development.
You will design, assemble and validate test stations and test plans for both product development and high-rate production, drawing on aerospace testing experience to ensure quality and efficiency.
What You Will Do
- Design, procure, assemble and operate propulsion development test facilities for system and subsystem-level tests
- Document test results and lead discussions on conclusions and recommended path forward
- Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on delivery of large test equipment requiring detailed facility layouts and specialized infrastructure
- Work with mechanical design and manufacturing teams to provide Design for Test insight during design reviews
- Author test plans, test procedures and test software for high quality and automated testing
- Develop practices for test data aggregation, statistical process control and data visualization scaled to high-rate production
- Conduct test station design reviews and test readiness reviews
- Define test requirements and objectives to ensure effective system characterization and product requirement coverage
- Identify, communicate and mitigate cost, schedule and technical risks
- Plan scaling activities for development and production test capacity to support concurrent high-rate production
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Systems Engineering or related technical subject
- 5 or more years career experience in propulsion system development, production and test
- Experience working with flight hardware in a production facility or laboratory
- Working knowledge of electric propulsion principles and test practices (ion, Hall-effect)
- Demonstrated experience creating and commissioning development or production test stations for electric propulsion vacuum hot fire tests
- Experience working safely with compressed gases, high pressure test systems, vacuum chambers and high voltage assemblies
- Ability to communicate clearly at all organizational levels
- Ability to earn trust, maintain professional relationships and contribute to a culture of inclusion
- Strong safety demeanor with hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations
- Excellent verbal, written and graphical communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced dynamic environment
- Enthusiasm for mentoring and knowledge sharing to support team technical development
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Systems Engineering or related technical subject
- Experience developing test infrastructure drawings, configuring test articles and conducting propulsion system testing
- Functional knowledge of electric propulsion test equipment: power supplies, data acquisition systems, pump systems, leak detection, motion stages, DMMs and test software (Python, LabView, Grafana, TestStand)
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and industry standards (MIL-STD-810, SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-1540)
- Experience conducting thermal, vibration, shock and vacuum testing on flight hardware
- Data analysis and technical visualization skills
- Proven track record developing new test processes
- Electric propulsion production system or subsystem testing experience
- Experience developing propulsion systems from concept to production
- Experience scaling and optimizing tests for higher production rates
- Conducting tests and resolving non-conformances in high-rate production environments
- Limited CAD design work for test fixturing and tooling
- Quick learning of various software tools
- AS9100 Quality Management System experience
- Analytical and scripting tools: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python or C++
- Test script and software development, deployment, maintenance and version control
- Requirements development and lifecycle management tools
Location and Travel
Greater Seattle Area. Relocation provided. Travel expected up to 25% of the time.
Compensation
Base pay range for Washington applicants: $121,023.00 to $169,432.20. Other site ranges may differ.
Requirements
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident (Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.
Background check required for all positions. Additional background checks may be required depending on role requirements.