Test Engineer III - Spacecraft Integration

BLUE ORIGIN•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$121,023 - $169,432•Onsite

About The Position

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) and supports Blue Origin’s Space Resources Program, which develops In-Situ Resource Utilization technologies to prospect, extract, and manufacture infrastructure from lunar and other space resources. The Test Engineer owns test planning, execution, and verification for satellite and subsystem integration campaigns. The position is based entirely on-site in a laboratory, working hands-on with interdisciplinary design and integration teams to prepare flight-ready hardware. The engineer defines test requirements and procedures, leads qualification and acceptance testing, investigates anomalies and failures, and collaborates with technicians, design engineers, and program leadership. The role requires sound technical judgment amid incomplete data, schedule pressure, and evolving program needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 6 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 and exercise sound engineering judgment under schedule pressure.
Comfort 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 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, and to spend significant time hands-on with hardware and test systems on the lab floor.
Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods; ability to bend, grasp, sit, pull, push, stoop, and stretch as required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
Prior experience supporting small-satellite 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 tools to automate test execution, data logging, or anomaly detection.
Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation automation, and test control software.
Experience with high thermal condition testing and complex electromechanical systems.
Experience mentoring or training AIT technicians.

Responsibilities

Define and own test plans, procedures, and verification criteria for development, integration, qualification, protoflight, and acceptance testing of satellite and spaceflight hardware.
Lead thermal vacuum, vibration, and other environmental test campaigns, including test setup review, execution oversight, real-time monitoring, and data analysis.
Translate system and subsystem requirements into verifiable test requirements and ensure test coverage and traceability.
Direct and support AIT technicians during test setup, execution, and troubleshooting, providing hands-on guidance and quality oversight.
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and integrated spacecraft systems; investigate failures and determine root causes.
Drive corrective and preventive actions to closure, including test reruns and verification.
Review and approve work instructions, test procedures, and non-conformance dispositions.
Develop and maintain automation scripts, data acquisition procedures, and analysis tools to streamline testing, data reduction, and anomaly detection.
Analyze test data and produce reports summarizing results, anomalies, and recommendations for stakeholders.
Collaborate with design, thermal, and subsystem leads to resolve integration issues and ensure producible, testable designs.
Support development and production activities using a pragmatic, right-sized documentation approach appropriate to a rapid-development program.
Coordinate weekly testing priorities, schedule risks, and resource needs with the area supervisor and program leads.
Generate and review job hazard assessments; establish safety controls and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
Identify and remove technical or process blockers affecting testing goals, escalating issues as needed to keep the program on schedule.
Improve test infrastructure, tooling, and processes to reduce cycle time and increase test throughput.
Maintain 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.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
Paid time off of up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses depending on role type and job level