
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II/III
Blue Origin · Van Horn, TX
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Blue Origin (aerospace & defense) in Van Horn, TX. Serve as the subject matter expert for various projects, provide high level support for all the engine test stands, and mentor junior engineers.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- PLC, Plant layout, AutoCAD
- Day to day
- about 50% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $95k–$140k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 86 controls engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 85 other live controls postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 4+)
Typical $90k–$132k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 84%
- Automation 76%
- Robotics 40%
- EHS / safety 26%
- Python 24%
- New product launch 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Plant layout, Cost reduction, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Blue Origin
We found 5 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to James → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Blue Origin in Van Horn
2 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in controls roles at Blue Origin.
- Inventory & Production Control Specialist III · Controls · Senior
- Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II · Controls
Full description from Blue OriginAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
- ✓5-10 years of experience in electrical schematic and panel layout design using CAD (preferably AutoCAD Electrical)
- ✓5-10 years of PLC Programming experience (preferably Allen Bradley or Siemens)
- ✓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.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
- ✓Practice with video monitoring systems (webcam, 3G-SDI, high speed, infrared, etc.)
- ✓Understanding of network configuration and other IT fundamentals
- ✓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 provi
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.
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 Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.
We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. 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.
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.
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 50% of the time.
- •Shifts available. This position is expected to be a regular 5/2 schedule.
- •Interviews will include a technical assessment.
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.
include but are not limited to
- •As a level 3 it is expected that you develop new tools for the team, serve as the subject matter expert for various projects, provide high level support for all the engine test stands, and mentor junior engineers.
- •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.
- •Design, upgrade, and modify PLC programs for test stands
- •Design electrical panels to accommodate new instrumentation and controls infrastructure at test facilities across Blue Origin
- •Maintain and upgrade test stand data acquisition systems: assemble, setup, and validate DAQ hardware configurations and troubleshoot DAQ hardware related problems.
- •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.
- •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.
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