Manager - Advanced Manufacturing and Process Development

Hardware FYI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a leader for Manufacturing and Tooling Development to guide a team of engineers in designing, prototyping, qualifying, and transitioning to production of automated manufacturing processes and tooling across welding, inspection, machining, and additive methods.

You will own hiring, performance direction, and delivery, representing the function in reviews and with customers, while enforcing safety and quality controls across facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in an engineering field is required.
• 8+ years in manufacturing engineering or related field with leadership progression.
• 2+ years direct management or technical lead experience.
• Experience delivering process development or tooling programs from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of welding, inspection, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, assembly.
• Experience with automated manufacturing cells and robotics.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and GD&T interpretation.
• U.S. export control eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Manufacturing and Tooling Development team across levels.
• Set technical direction and allocate engineers to problems.
• Run performance management, career development, mentorship, and succession planning.
• Partner with recruiting to source, interview, and hire.
• Develop and own manufacturing processes, tooling, and automation from concept to production.

Skills

8+ years manufacturing eng

2+ years management

3D CAD

automation cells

cost estimates

communication

problem solving

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Eng

M.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing/Materials Eng

Tools

CATIA/NX/SolidWorks

PLM/MRP systems

digital manufacturing tools

Job description

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.

About Blue Origin

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We are 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 (Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, Mission Assurance) and supports Manufacturing and Supply Chain across all Blue Origin facilities.

Summary

Lead a Manufacturing and Tooling Development team of early-career and senior engineers who design, develop, prototype, qualify, and transition to production the automated manufacturing processes, tooling, and ground infrastructure that produce launch vehicle hardware. The team covers welding, inspection, machining, and additive processes, and builds the automated cells and tooling that run them. You will own hiring, performance, technical direction, and delivery for the team, and you will represent the function with peer managers, engineering leadership, and program customers.

Responsibilities

Lead the team

• Build, grow, and retain a team of Manufacturing and Process Development Engineers and Manufacturing and Tooling Development Engineers across early-career and senior levels.
• Set technical direction, prioritize across competing program demands, and allocate engineers to the right problems.
• Run performance management, career development, mentorship, and succession planning.
• Partner with recruiting to source, interview, and close candidates.
• Build a hands-on, in-house build culture: your engineers design, program, wire, commission, and debug the cells they own, with external integrators engaged where it makes sense.

Deliver the function

• Own the development and qualification of manufacturing processes (welding, inspection, machining, additive) and the automated cells and tooling that run them, from concept through production transition.
• Own the development of tooling, fixtures, and ground support infrastructure of moderate to high complexity.
• Lead workflow modeling, facility layout, capacity analysis, and resource planning to support scalable operations.
• Identify and drive vertical integration, automation, and new-process-introduction opportunities to improve cost, schedule, and quality.
• Own capital expenditure justifications for cells, tooling, and equipment. Track project budgets and report on cost and schedule performance.
• Represent the team at Design Gated Reviews. Apply DFM and DFT principles early in design.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement across the processes, cells, and tooling the team owns.
• Coordinate with suppliers and external tooling partners on design studies, fabrication, and acceptance.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to leadership on investment in automation, workforce allocation, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Enforce safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, tooling design, or automation cell integration, with demonstrated progression into technical leadership.
• 2+ years of direct management or formal technical lead experience (performance management, hiring, mentoring, budget ownership).
• Demonstrated delivery of process development or tooling programs from concept through production validation.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes: welding, non-destructive inspection, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, assembly.
• Experience with automated manufacturing cells (industrial robots, cobots, machine vision, PLC controls) and the tooling and fixturing that support them.
• Experience developing cost estimates, defending capital expenditure justifications, and tracking project budgets.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and comfort with digital manufacturing tools.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and industry standards.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in a fast-paced, evolving production environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across engineering, program management, and executive audiences.
• Must meet U.S. export control eligibility (citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).

Desired

Leadership

• Direct experience managing engineers across early-career and senior levels in a hands-on technical environment.
• Track record of building teams: hiring, onboarding, and retention.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs across design, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality.
• Experience partnering with Factory Automation, controls / software, or systems engineering counterparts.

Technical depth

• M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Materials Engineering.
• Domain depth in one or more of: aluminum welding metallurgy, laser welding, friction stir welding, non-destructive inspection method qualification (AWS D17.1, AS9100, PAUT, eddy current), precision machining, CNC machining operations, or additive processes (LFAM, WAAM, cold spray).
• Experience with large-scale structures, cryogenic tank manufacturing, or propulsion system assembly.
• Experience developing or deploying automation, robotics, modular tooling, or reconfigurable fixtures.
• Familiarity with PLM / MRP systems and model-based definition workflows.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

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 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.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60

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