Space Resources Sr. Lab Technician

Space Resources Program Lab Technician III

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Blue Origin's vision is to shape a future where millions of people live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. We believe that to preserve our planet, humanity must expand beyond our limits, venturing into space to explore and discover new energy and material resources.

To achieve this, we invite you to be a part of our Space Resources Program. This initiative is at the forefront of developing In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies, destined for the Moon and beyond. If you're passionate about our mission and are looking to make a meaningful contribution, you might just be the ideal candidate to join our inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking team.

In this hands-on role, you will be based entirely on-site at our Los Angeles Facility, collaborating closely with the Space Resources Program team. We are on the lookout for a qualified Lab Technician III. As such, you will play a pivotal role in operating and maintaining environmental test systems, including vacuum chambers crucial for conducting high-power and high-temperature space exploration technology experiments.

Your responsibilities include ensuring operational excellence and maintaining the highest standards of Environmental Health and Safety during laboratory experiments. You will be in charge of the setup, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, guaranteeing they fulfill our stringent spaceflight qualification standards.

We seek a candidate who brings technical know-how, leadership capabilities, and a dedication to quality, all of which are vital in making a positive impact on our mission. The pace at Blue Origin is brisk, with rapid cycles of design, analysis, and integration, aimed at delivering scalable solutions. Therefore, we need someone who is adaptable, proactive, eager to learn, and uncompromising on safety and quality. Creativity, a spirit of innovation, and the ability to manage changing requirements are key to thriving in this role.

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:

• Apply knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems to support the assembly, installation, maintenance, and repair of laboratory instrumentation and space flight hardware.
• Design, build, and commission test beds, particularly in cleanroom environments, to support rigorous testing protocols.
• Oversee the installation, maintenance, and repair of laboratory instruments and equipment, ensuring they meet performance standards and operational requirements.
• Ensure all testing including vacuum chamber experiments comply with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, implementing necessary safeguards and protocols.
• Liaise with contractors for facility modifications and with vendors for the timely delivery and servicing of equipment, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Manage the inventory of laboratory consumables and chemical waste. Ensure proper disposal protocols are followed in coordination with EHS departments.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) to promote safe and efficient laboratory practices.
• Contribute to fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion within the Agile Hardware Development team, promoting continuous improvement and team cohesion.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant laboratory experience.
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on Experience working with space flight hardware.
• Skilled in basic electrical wiring, including thermocouple, pressure transducer, and pump installation.
• Hands-on experience with a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Capable of designing, building, and commissioning test beds, especially in cleanroom environments.
• Adept at developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs).
• Proven ability to manage laboratory chemical waste and ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards.
• Effective in managing contractor and vendor relations for facility and equipment servicing.
• Physical capability to move heavy equipment up to 40 lbs as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills with a strong emphasis on team collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CAD design and fabrication for custom test support fixtures.
• Demonstrated experience with large vacuum chambers for integrated testing.
• Relevant certifications in safety, hazardous material handling, or vacuum chamber operations.
• Forklift operation experience or certification.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot vacuum chambers.
• Experience in setting up and operating CNC and manual machining tools.
• Previous leadership roles or mentorship experience within a technical team.

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $42.47 - $59.46

Other 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,