Additive Manufacturing Production Engineer – Materials & Processes (LPBF)

blueorigin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Stock options

Parental leave

Paid time off

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a hands-on AM engineer specializing in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) to diagnose real-time production issues, adjust machine parameters, and drive end-to-end LPBF processes from printing to finishing. The role emphasizes practical DOEs and defect root-cause analysis in a busy manufacturing setting.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of LPBF experience in production, capable of distinguishing machine vs material causes, and willing to be onsite full-time at our WA

Qualifications

• AM metal printing experience required.
• Experience with LPBF parameter development and defect root cause.
• Experience in a production environment.

Responsibilities

• Support active LPBF production lines daily — diagnose issues in real time and adjust parameters.
• Understand LPBF machine architecture well enough to distinguish machine-induced defects.
• Own the LPBF process end-to-end: printing, heat treatment, and finishing.
• Conduct root cause investigations on powder and printed material issues to trace defects to subsystems or material batches.
• Production-harden new materials and process parameters for LPBF.

Skills

AM metal machines

LPBF parameter development

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

LPBF systems

Powder delivery

Gas flow dynamics

Job description

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.

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.

We are looking for a hands-on AM engineer who knows Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) machines inside and out — someone who can walk up to a printer having issues, understand what's happening mechanically and thermally, and know exactly which parameters to adjust to fix it. This is a production role for someone who has spent real time turning knobs, running DOEs on the floor, and root-causing defects down to machine architecture, not just process theory.

Responsibilities

• Support active LPBF production lines daily — diagnose issues in real time and know which specific parameters (laser power, scan speed, layer thickness, hatch spacing, gas flow, etc.) to adjust to resolve them
• Understand LPBF machine architecture (optics/laser systems, recoater/powder delivery, gas flow dynamics, thermal management) well enough to distinguish machine-induced defects from material or parameter-induced defects
• Own the LPBF process end-to-end: printing, heat treatment, and finishing
• Conduct root cause investigations on powder and printed material issues, tracing defects back to specific machine subsystems, parameters, or material batches
• Production-harden new materials and process parameters for LPBF, transitioning them from development to serial production
• Develop and stabilize LPBF parameters to improve yield, throughput, and repeatability
• Design and execute DOEs on production LPBF machines to optimize material properties and production efficiency
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve production escapes and prevent recurrence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years’ experience with AM metal machines and parameter development, specifically LPBFin a production environment
• Direct printing experience with stainless steel, copper, nickel, and titanium alloys on LPBF systems
• Deep working knowledge of LPBF machine architecture and how machine subsystems (laser/optics, powder delivery, gas flow, build chamber) affect part quality
• Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose defects and determine root cause — distinguishing between machine, material, and parameter-driven issues
• Proven track record of adjusting and validating LPBF process parameters (not just reading recipes) to resolve production issues
• Comfortable working on the shop floor in a fast-paced, hands-on production environment with shifting priorities
• Able to be onsite full-time and support active production schedules
• Ability to earn trust, build strong cross-functional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• 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

Desired

• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and correlating in-process monitoring data with NDT results and defects
• Background in practical data analysis to drive process decisions (Minitab, JMP, Excel, or similar tools)
• Experience leading or supporting production ramp-ups or new product introduction (NPI) in an aerospace/defense setting

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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, 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.
• 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.

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, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affir­mentary Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.