Senior Payload Operations Technician

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

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 diverse and hardworking team of experts, you will process flight hardware, perform spacecraft mate & encapsulation, transport, mate to the launch vehicle, participate in integrated testing, and closeout operations. You will share in our team’s impact on all aspects of payload operations. As part of the Payload Operations group, you will work as part of a highly skilled team reporting to Mission Operations/Test & Flight Operations.

Responsibilities

• Execute operations procedures for assembly, use, and maintenance of launch vehicle flight hardware, and ground support equipment
• Team a with group of highly skilled technicians to perform integrated payload processing activities in a 100K (ISO-8) class or higher cleanroom, and interact with New Glenn spacecraft customer teams
• Perform hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of payload accommodations flight hardware including mechanical, instrumentation, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
• Perform bridge crane operations to process flight articles
• Perform maintenance of a wide range of support equipment and tools
• Participate in implementation of mission unique solutions to payload process requirements
• Closely collaborate with engineers from various launch vehicle and ground system disciplines on a daily basis

Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience with payload operations, launch vehicle operations, integration, manufacturing or test environment working on mechanical systems.
• Must have 8+ years’ experience executing launch operations/ payload operations procedures
• Must have 8+ experience with payload fairings, adapters, payload separation systems, spacecraft integration, match-mates (fit-checks)
• Must be Beyond Gravtiy Payload Separation System Certified or previously certified
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (current Green Card holder)
• Current TS/SCI clearance or ability to successfully complete a Sensitive Compartmented Information investigation with polygraph
• Must be able to travel to other Blue Origin offices, alternate launch site, and customer facilities (within and outside the United States)
• Position requires: lifting (35-lbs), climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying, and standing for extended periods (8 hours min.)
• Must be able to become certified to operate equipment such as aerial lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes & able to perform basic rigging responsibilities
• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends, when needed to support test or launch campaign timelines
• Must be able to work at heights in excess of 50 feet.

Desired

• Commercial Driver’s License, Class A (Florida issued CDL or ability to obtain)
• Experience with lifting handling GSE, environmental control systems operations
• Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Outlook)

Experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations

• Highly detail oriented, diligent, hard working with excellent interpersonal skills
• Possess advanced knowledge of engineering drawings/sketches
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to develop and manage many tasks and schedules simultaneously
• Experienced in validating that clean GSE is acceptable for use around customer spaceflight hardware

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.

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, 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 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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• 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.