Flight Operations Engineer III - Capsule

Posted:
12/6/2024, 8:31:41 AM

Location(s):
Texas, United States ⋅ Van Horn, Texas, United States ⋅ Washington, United States ⋅ Seattle, Washington, United States

Experience Level(s):
Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Operations & Logistics

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.   As part of a hardworking team of diverse engineers and operators, you will develop the next generation of operations infrastructure for suborbital human and payload launch activities.  

 

After completing a challenging hands-on training program and successfully certifying, you will be responsible for operating the Crew Capsule vehicle at our Texas launch site in support of the New Shepard pre-launch, launch, and post-launch activities. As a flight controller, your role will be pivotal in carrying out a safe and successful launch. In this role, you will also support many aspects related to development and continuous improvement of the launch operation, such as procedure authoring and verification, process improvement, and safety analysis.  

 

This job is based in either Kent, WA or Van Horn, TX with regular (25%) travel to whichever of those locations the job is not based in. 

 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Develop proficiency in operating sophisticated mechanical, fluid, and avionics systems as you work toward and complete certification as a Capsule Controller for test and launch of the New Shepard rocket. 

  • Serve as a flight controller on launch day and prepare the capsule for embarking astronauts. 

  • Respond to off-nominal scenarios, taking appropriate actions to maintain crew and astronaut safety and help lead the team to resolution of anomalies.  

  • Operate the Crew Capsule systems in support of vehicle testing and pre-launch preparations for New Shepard launch (vehicle checkouts, mission simulation, etc.) 

  • Develop and support procedure updates for use across all phases of the operation. 

  • Support control console human interface upgrades.   

  • Support systems safety activities by working toward process and documentation improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or relevant experience.

  • Minimum 5 years' experience as an operator or flight controller, including time on console or in a control room, and familiarity with wireless communication protocols.

  • Minimum 4 years direct experience with complex vehicle preparations, testing or similar technical hands-on experience.

  • Strong ability and desire to understand sophisticated systems, investigate and tackle challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment.

  • Demonstrated commitment to safety and adherence to established protocols. 

  • Performs well in time-critical scenarios.

  • Strong digital literacy and ability to learn new software tools.

  • Reside at or ability to travel to West Texas launch site.

  • Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion. 

  • 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:

  • M.S. degree in engineering or related field

  • Experience operating pneumatic, and electronics/control systems. 

  • Experience coding simple software programs or algorithms. 

  • Familiarity with typical aerospace vehicle pressure system and structural manufacturing technologies. 

  • Experience leading teams as an Operator, Test Conductor or Test Engineer. 

  • Experience developing, writing and updating operating or test procedures. 


 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $111,690.00-$156,366.00

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Benefits

Benefits include:  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%, and an Education Support Program.

Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected].

California Applicant Privacy Notice

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