Flight Operations Engineer II - Ground Controller

Application close date:

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

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.

This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Karman line - the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse flight operations professionals, you will operate and launch spaceflight systems. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of the re-usable rocket operation and commercial human spaceflight.

After completing a challenging hands-on training program and successfully qualifying, you will operate the ground systems at our West Texas launch site in support of the New Shepard pre-launch, launch, and post-launch activities. As a flight controller in Mission Control, your role will be pivotal in carrying out a safe and successful launch. In this role, you will also support many aspects related to development and continuous improvement of the launch operation, such as procedure authoring and verification, process improvement, and safety analysis. This role is based in Van Horn, TX with regular travel to headquarters in Kent, WA.

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!

Special Mentions:

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

Van Horn Specific information:

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employee's additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance. Eligibility for these additional benefits is based on the employee's ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue location a minimum of 50% of the time.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop proficiency in operating sophisticated mechanical and fluid systems as you work toward and complete certification as a Ground Controller for test and launch of the New Shepard rocket
• Develop and support procedure updates for use across all phases of the operation, with a focus on development of the next block of New Shepard vehicles and ground system
• Serve as a flight controller on launch day, leading operations like loading propellants into the rocket
• Respond to off-nominal scenarios, taking appropriate actions to maintain crew and astronaut safety and help lead the team to resolution of anomalies
• Operate the launch complex ground systems in support of vehicle testing and pre-launch preparations for New Shepard launch (equipment checkouts, mission simulation, etc.)
• Support control console human interface upgrades

Minimum Qualifications:

• Previous experience as an operator or flight controller, including time on console or in a control room, and familiarity with radio/voice-loop communication protocols
• Significant direct experience with complex vehicle or ground system preparations, testing, or similar technical hands-on experience
• Strong ability and desire to understand sophisticated systems, investigate and tackle challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment
• Proven safety mentality
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative in improving existing systems, processes, and documentation
• Strong communication skills
• Performs well in time-critical scenarios
• Strong digital literacy and ability to learn new software tools
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering
• Ability to travel to Kent, WA
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience operating pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronics/control systems
• Experience coding simple software programs or algorithms
• Experience operating cryogenic systems, including liquid oxygen and/or hydrogen systems
• Familiarity with typical aerospace vehicle pressure system and structural manufacturing technologies
• Experience operating network equipment (e.g., Cisco or Juniper)
• Experience designing or operating radio frequency communications equipment
• Experience with Linux
• Experience leading teams as an Operator, Test Conductor, or Test Engineer
• Experience developing, writing and updating operating or test procedures

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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, 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.

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.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 "EEO Is the Law," 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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

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