Instrumentation & Controls Engineer II

Blue Origin - Van Horn, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Van Horn, TX

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

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! This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Facilities, and Security. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. We are a small, passionate and accomplished team, that supports the development, construction, operation and maintenance of liquid rocket engine test facilities for various liquid rocket engine propulsion systems, focusing on instrumentation and data acquisition and control hardware. You will contribute to the team's progress by participating in all aspects of hands-on engineering and project management. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable test operations and spaceflight. This position is based in Van Horn, TX. Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site offers eligible employees additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance, etc. Eligibility for relocation assistance is based on the employee's ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX. 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!

Responsibilities

• Maintain and upgrade test stand data acquisition systems: assemble, setup, and validate DAQ hardware configurations and troubleshoot DAQ hardware related problems.
• Provide technical support for instrumentation on test stands; provide and update drawings of harnesses/interfaces, electrical power, and data/control systems; provide mentorship/training and troubleshooting support for technicians and engineers.
• Define, coordinate, and execute instrumentation, data, and controls system integration activities at the test stands, including identifying, designing, reviewing, building, installing, and functional checking wire harnesses, components, and instrumentation.
• Create and maintain software configuration files, test scripts, test procedures, and relevant rocket engine test procedure sections.
• Monitor data during test operations and provide input to the team concerning the execution of test sequences, operation of the test article or test stand, and readiness for critical test phases.
• Review and verify health and performance of instrumentation on the test stand and test articles by reviewing hot fire test data, crafting and maintaining data reduction code, and compiling reports.
• Perform other tasks, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment, including the operation of the test article and test stand to collect hot fire test data.
• Identify and execute on opportunities for continuous improvements to promote workplace safety, meet fast paced schedules, and secure cost savings.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
• 2-5 years of experience in electrical schematic and panel layout design using CAD (preferably AutoCAD Electrical).
• Proven understanding of integrating instrumentation with data acquisition hardware.
• Proficiency with electrical diagnostic equipment.
• Familiar with industrial sensors and actuators: pressure, temperature, LVDT, accelerometers, motor controllers, flow meters, relays, strain gauges, valves, and pumps.
• Strong technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills.
• Desire to take ownership of projects.
• 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.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience within the aerospace industry working at test facilities, with cryogenic fluid systems, specifically LH2, LOx, LNG, and LN2.
• Practice with video monitoring systems (webcam, 3G-SDI, high speed, infrared, etc.)
• Understanding of network configuration and other IT fundamentals.
• Software development or fixing PLC, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or Opto22 controllers and for LabVIEW or MATLAB applications.
• Familiarity with NI hardware or Bustec hardware.
• Familiarity with calibration principles (uncertainty calculation, total error ratios, etc.) and industry calibration standards (ISO/IEC 17025, ANSI NCSL Z540.3).
• Proficient in noise reduction, shielding, grounding techniques, termination and analog and digital filtering to provide high fidelity measurements.
• Ability to specify instrumentation wiring needed for various interfacing of data systems and sensors.
• Experience crafting and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (NFPA 70 Section 500 installations); Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 environments.
• Understanding of computers and programming languages (LabVIEW, Java, HTML, and/or C++, Python).

Benefits

• 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%
• 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.