NDT Automation Engineer

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.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse technicians and engineers, you will help design automated nondestructive testing (NDT) processes for various spaceflight systems using multiple inspection methods. You will share in our team’s impact on all aspects of inspections of spaceflight hardware. In this role, you will leverage an understanding of industrial automation to design and implement automated NDT inspections systems.

You will support design teams to optimize inspections of hardware, including composite structures, friction stir welds, GTAW weldments, additively manufactured components, castings, and thermal protection systems. To achieve these goals, you will autonomously work with multiple stakeholders to translate flight hardware quality requirements into inspection systems that exceed said requirements with a focus on safety, performance, and production rate.

In this role you will create custom robotic solutions from end-to-end and perform as the in-house automation integrator with the following responsibilities:

• First principles approach to drive all aspects of robot cell design
• Selection of appropriate robot and all electronic, safety, pneumatic, and hydraulic components and sourcing them from suppliers
• Selection and implementation of all I/O components
• All necessary programming (PLCs/Robots)
• Designing of all fixtures and EOAT
• Installing and testing of robot cell
• Using robot cell to gather inspection data and prove that inspection requirements have been met
• Working with POD SMEs to prove that required minimum flaw sizes are being detected in accordance with the 90/95 rule as applicable

This role will require automating inspection systems for parts which will require inspection with multiple NDT methods, which include but are not limited to: ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant, and radiographic inspection methods. Additionally, you will aid the development and maintenance of these systems, as well as conduct training on how to correctly and safely use these systems. Other responsibilities will include supporting in-service NDT inspections of flight hardware, assist with probability of detection studies, and review and approve drawings.

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

Qualifications:

• 3 + years automation experience with one or more of the following robotic systems:
  Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, Yaskawa, Staubli.
• Understanding of offline programming in one or more of the following programming environments:
  Siemens Process Simulate, ABB Robot Studio, Fanuc Roboguide, Kuka Sim.
• Understanding of ABB RAPID, Fanuc Karel, or similar programming languages.
• Proven capabilities of developing fixtures and robotic end-of-arm tooling.
• Demonstrated experience working in a CAD environment, CREO preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with automated metrology and/or NDT inspection systems utilizing gantries and/or 6-axis robots.
• Demonstrated experience programming PLCs using Ladder Logic, Function Blocks, or Structured Text.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience in automating pre-existing factory processes to fully-commissioned states.
• Understanding of electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic actuators.
• Understanding of communication protocols, such as Ethernet/IP, Fieldbus, and Modbus.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to teach and train technicians how to safely and correctly implement automated systems.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our 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.
• Bachelor of Science degree (or higher) in engineering/physical sciences, or equivalent training, and experience as an NDT engineer
• Understanding of both lower level and scripting languages (C#, C++, Python, Matlab)
• Experience responding to production line breakdowns,…