Engineer - Test III

Blue Origin • Altadena, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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 team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies Honeybee Robotics has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years, establishing ourselves as pioneers in developing novel exploration systems for the most extreme planetary environments. At our Southern California location, we look to "Touch Life" by supporting planetary science, including every NASA Mars rover since Spirit and Opportunity. We aim to "Mine the Sky" through the development of practical In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) solutions. We search for technically brilliant individuals in engineering, software, and support fields who take ownership of their work, enjoy collaborating in teams, and have a laser focus on the details that drive excellence. Honeybee Robotics is looking for a Test Engineer III to support a vertically integrated environmental test lab. This includes support for prototype characterization and flight system qualification across TVAC, vibrations, thermal, and EMI domains. You will be a critical part of the team, responsible for negotiating requirements with internal and external stakeholders, leading test planning, and test execution. You will work alongside engineering and operations functions to deliver first of its kind hardware for applications across the solar system. Creative problem-solving and a proactive approach will be critical to your success in this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or related field
• 5+ years experience in hardware testing of mechanical or electromechanical systems
• Proficiency in developing and executing test plans and procedures for complex mechanical or electromechanical systems
• Experience with data acquisition systems and instrumentation (e.g., load cells, torque sensors, encoders, thermocouples, accelerometers)
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret test data, identify anomalies, and drive resolution through structured problem-solving
• Familiarity with environmental test standards such as GEVS (GSFC-STD-7000), SMC-S-016, or equivalent aerospace qualification standards
• Experience working in a cleanroom or controlled laboratory environment with flight or flight-like hardware
• Proficiency in CAD software (Autodesk Inventor or similar)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present technical findings to both technical and leadership audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and test campaigns simultaneously with high attention to detail and organization
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
• Ability to travel occasionally to support test campaigns at external test facilities or customer sites (estimated up to 10-15%)
• Passion for spaceflight and space exploration
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting qualification and acceptance test campaigns across the full product lifecycle (development, qualification, and acceptance)
• Experience designing or fabricating mechanical test fixtures or GSE
• Hands-on operation and/or maintenance of environmental test equipment including vacuum pumps, turbomolecular pumps, vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and thermal/thermal vacuum chambers
• Experience with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing and/or vibration and shock testing of flight hardware
• Experience with fluid systems, including Swagelok tube bending and fluid fittings installation and assembly
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and test automation scripting (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or equivalent) for data reduction, processing, and automated test execution
• Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems and associated documentation practices
• Experience supporting test campaigns at external test facilities or customer sites
• Prior experience in a space hardware development environment

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute comprehensive qualification and acceptance test programs for complex space mechanisms and electromechanical systems, including rovers, sampling systems, and optical assemblies, in accordance with GEVS, SMC-S-016, and program-specific requirements
• Author, review, and maintain test plans, test procedures, and test reports in compliance with applicable standards and program requirements
• Design and fabricate mechanical test fixtures and ground support equipment (GSE), including basic electrical ground support equipment (EGSE); set up and operate data acquisition systems to support hardware testing
• Conduct functional, performance, life, and environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, EMI/EMC) on flight and qualification hardware
• Collect, reduce, and analyze test data; identify anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions; and communicate findings clearly to engineering and project teams
• Collaborate closely with design, systems, and quality engineers to ensure test requirements are properly derived, allocated, and verified
• Direct and collaborate with technician staff during test setup, execution, and teardown activities
• Support hardware integration activities and ensure hardware is properly configured prior to test execution
• Support test readiness reviews (TRRs), test anomaly investigations, and failure review boards (FRBs)
• Maintain accurate test logs, configuration records, and traceability documentation in accordance with quality management system requirements
• Operate and maintain test laboratory equipment, including vacuum pumps, turbomolecular pumps, vacuum and thermal chambers, vibration tables, load cells, and multi-channel data acquisition systems
• Identify opportunities to improve test efficiency, repeatability, and automation; contribute to continuous improvement of test infrastructure and processes
• Coordinate with internal project teams, customers, suppliers, and external test facilities to support program milestones and schedules
• Identify risks and drive resolution of technical issues through closure

Benefits

• 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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level