Blue Origin · 2 months ago
Instrument Specialist III — Oasis-1 Mission (Space Resources Program)
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$117K/yr - $164K/yr
4+ years expBlue Origin is a company focused on developing reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems. The Instrument Specialist III will contribute to the Space Resources Program by executing assembly, integration, verification, and calibration of flight Instrument Modules and supporting various engineering workflows and projects related to space resource utilization.
AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Contribute to instrument design; receive, inspect, and kit parts; assemble two flight Instrument Modules and an Engineering Model; execute ATP/functional tests and environmental testing (TVAC, vibration/shock) per the finalized V&V plan
Maintain travelers, as-built records, calibration artifact traceability, and CM discipline
Deliver completion evidence for Instrument Module V&V and hardware meeting requirements
Support procurement/scheduling of calibrations; coordinate shipments and lab readiness; witness or review vendor calibration activities for Imaging Spectrometer, GRNS, and magnetometers
Validate calibration datasets, update coefficients, and integrate results into the data pipeline; maintain the calibration database under configuration management
Deliver verified calibration datasets and inputs to the locked on-orbit calibration plan and CRB packages
Prepare for FTRR; ready EM and GSE; conduct rehearsals and comms link checks; support site logistics and safety
Collect datasets across terrains/geometries; record ground truth; ingest/process data; contribute to geospatial projection process, compare to truth; quantify errors; propose updates to calibration/pipeline parameters
Deliver approved Field Test Plan/Procedures, discrepancy/corrective-action records, and Field Test Closeout artifacts
Support instrument contributions to Mechanical/Electrical ICDs; perform fit/functional checks and interface tests with the satellite and dispenser; coordinate with D&I on EBOM↔MBOM mapping and audits
Deliver interface verification evidence, test reports, and signed ICD inputs
Assist in integrating Instrument Modules onto satellites and into dispensers; participate in joint TRRs with suppliers and PA/QA witnessing; support environmental and deployment testing
Deliver inputs to Interface Verification Reports, environmental test reports, and integrated satellite ATP data
Maintain CM-controlled procedures, calibration databases, and as-built records; manage NCRs and support MRB; contribute to PA/QA audits and IV&V coordination
Deliver CM/audit records, NCR/MRB dispositions, and test procedures/reports
Contribute to operator procedures and pass plans; support ORR/MRR/FRR preparation; provide on-console support during commissioning and early operations for instrument bring-up and telemetry monitoring
Deliver commissioning reports and updates to calibration coefficients based on flight data
Prepare and present instrument content for SRR/PDR/CDR/QR/TRR/FRR; track and close actions and gating items
Deliver review packages, minutes, and action closures
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
4+ years of hands-on AIT experience with spaceborne instruments in at least one of: gamma ray spectroscopy (GRS), neutron detection, magnetometry, multispectral/visible‑NIR imaging
Demonstrated experience assembling and testing flight hardware per formal procedures and a V&V plan, including functional and environmental testing (TVAC, vibration/shock)
Experience executing or supporting instrument calibrations with external labs/vendors and integrating calibration results into data processing pipelines
Proficiency with lab instrumentation and GSE (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, thermal/vacuum fixtures); ability to read schematics, ICDs, and mechanical drawings
Familiarity with configuration management, as-built records, travelers, and EBOM↔MBOM collaboration with D&I
Experience with NCR/MRB processes and PA/QA witnessing/IV&V coordination
Data analysis skills (e.g., Python or MATLAB) for calibration validation, error quantification, and report generation
Strong documentation and cross-functional communication; ability to work across Systems, D&I, Software, MA/Q, and supplier teams
Preferred
Master's degree in a related field; 6+ years of relevant experience
SmallSat/CubeSat heritage building two flight units and EMs through environmental test and delivery
Depth in Imaging Spectrometer calibration; GRNS spectral calibration; magnetometer alignment/scale/frequency response
Experience with EMI/EMC practices and testing; grounding/bonding/shielding; EEE parts selection/derating and radiation considerations (TID/SEE)
Experience developing/maintaining CM-controlled calibration databases and preparing audit-ready artifacts for SRR/PDR/CDR/QR/TRR/FRR
Hands-on field testing experience including comms setup, ground-truth instrumentation, and data quality assessment; HIL bench integration
Tooling proficiency (e.g., Altium/KiCad for design review, SPICE for analyses, LabVIEW/Python for test automation and data processing)
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
Company
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an aerospace company that focuses on lowering the cost of spaceflight and helping to explore the solar system.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$185.35MKey Investors
NASAUnited States Space Force
2024-02-20Secondary Market
2024-01-24Undisclosed· $18M
2021-12-03Grant· $130M
Leadership Team
David Limp
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Collins
Vice President, Global Supply Chain
Recent News
Washington Technology
2026-01-11
The Orlando Sentinel
2026-01-05
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