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’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!
This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.
As a Test and Automation Engineer at Blue Origin, you will be a critical part of ensuring our advanced optical communication systems meet stringent performance and reliability requirements for space. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of hardware verification, from planning and executing environmental test campaigns to developing the automated systems that acquire and analyze the data. This role is essential for validating our designs and enabling a smooth transition into production by creating a robust, data-driven verification framework.
Special Mentions:
Travel expectations: Up to 30% travel may be required for test campaigns at external facilities or other Blue Origin facilities.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Environmental Test Execution
Plan and execute system-level environmental qualification campaigns, including thermal-vacuum (TVAC), random vibration, and shock testing to validate hardware survivability and performance
Performance Verification
Develop and perform detailed tests to characterize key system performance metrics, such as Line-of-Sight (LOS) stability and optical quality, before and after environmental exposure
Test Automation & Scripting
Develop, validate, and maintain automated test scripts for data acquisition (DAQ) and instrument control using languages like Python or LabVIEW to ensure repeatable and efficient test execution
Data Reduction & Analysis
Create and manage robust data reduction pipelines to efficiently process large datasets from test campaigns, converting raw sensor data into actionable performance summaries and visualizations
Uncertainty & Analysis
Conduct rigorous measurement uncertainty analysis for all key performance verification tests to establish clear pass/fail criteria, quantify test confidence, and inform design margins
Documentation & Reliability
Author comprehensive test plans, procedures, and detailed test reports
Contribute to reliability documentation and support failure investigations with data-driven root-cause analysis
Minimum Qualifications:
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of hands-on experience in a hardware test engineering role for complex systems (aerospace, defense, or equivalent)
Direct experience planning and executing environmental tests, including vibration, shock, and/or thermal-vacuum (TVAC)
Proficiency in developing test automation scripts and data analysis routines using a programming language such as Matlab, Python (with libraries like NumPy, Pandas) or LabVIEW
Strong understanding of data acquisition systems (DAQ), sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, etc.), and instrument control
Experience with formal documentation, such as authoring test plans, procedures, and reports
Preferred Qualifications:
MS in a relevant engineering discipline
Experience testing optical or opto-mechanical payloads and familiarity with performance metrics like LOS jitter or Wavefront Error (WFE)
Knowledge of spaceflight quality standards and documentation practices (e.g., AS9100)
Experience with statistical data analysis, measurement uncertainty budgets, and Gage R&R (GR&R) studies
Familiarity with structural and thermal analysis (FEA) and the ability to correlate test data with analytical models
Why Blue Origin:
At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe that humanity's future is in space, and we're committed to developing the technologies that will make that vision a reality. As a Test and Automation Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring our space systems meet the highest standards of performance and reliability, directly contributing to our mission of building a road to space for the benefit of Earth.
We are building a team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Compensation Range for:
CA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20 WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20Other site ranges may differ
Culture 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 an 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.
Background Check
Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical
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.
Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.
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 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. 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, sex, 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 “Know Your Rights,” 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]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.
California Applicant Privacy Notice
If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.
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