Electric Propulsion Test Engineer III - Vacuum Test Stations

Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We are 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!

The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which focuses on addressing two of the most compelling challenges today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit.

As a member of the Tera Wave propulsion team, you will play a foundational role in developing Hall thruster‑based propulsion systems that maneuver the Tera Wave constellation satellites and the propulsion team itself. Tera Wave is a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth, servicing tens of thousands of enterprise, data‑center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

As a Test Engineer III you will support the development of the propulsion team’s facilities for development and production acceptance testing. You will own the design and construction of the team’s development test stations and collaborate with propulsion team members to execute testing that informs the propulsion system’s development. Successful candidates will use their aerospace testing experience to design, assemble, and validate test stations and test plans for product development and high‑rate production.

A preferred candidate will have experience in electric propulsion system/subsystem testing at production rates, including specific electric propulsion hot‑fire testing in vacuum facilities.

If you share our passion for propulsion system development and testing, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross‑functional teams, are experienced and skilled in several relevant technologies, continuously seek opportunities to learn and improve, and do not let title or job description limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, we would love to hear from you.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

• Design, procure, assemble, and operate propulsion development test facilities for system and subsystem‑level tests.
• Document and lead discussions of test results, conclusions, and recommended path forward for test and test article development.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on delivery of large and long‑lead test equipment requiring detailed facility layouts and specialized facility infrastructure.
• Work closely with mechanical design and manufacturing team members to provide design‑for‑test insight in test article design reviews.
• Author test plans, test procedures, and test SW for high quality and, where appropriate, automated testing.
• Develop practices for test data aggregation, statistical process control, and data visualization with scalability to high‑rate production.
• Conduct test station design reviews and test readiness reviews for your tests.
• Define test requirements and objectives, ensuring effective characterization of system development and coverage of product requirements.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate cost, schedule, and technical risks.
• Plan scaling activities for development and production test capacity to support concurrent high‑rate production and sustained, continuous product improvement.

• Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Systems Engineering, or related technical subject area.
• 5+ years of 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 (e.g., ion, Hall‑effect) principles and test practices.
• Demonstrated experience in the creation and commissioning of development or production test stations for electric propulsion vacuum hot‑fire tests.
• Experience working safely with…