Manufacturing Engineer III

Blue Origin LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Education support program

Job summary

Blue Origin in Huntsville, AL is seeking an Engineer - Manufacturing III to set manufacturing operations direction for vehicle architectures and lead cross‑functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and test. You’ll drive DFX, plan demonstrator builds, and ensure producible designs from concept through early production phases.

The role requires a strong CAD/PLM background, leadership experience, and the ability to present to senior leadership while working extended hours as milestones

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related field.
• Strong understanding of development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Deep knowledge of MIG/TIG welding methods.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and direct manufacturing solutions.
• Experience defining work instructions, BOMs, RCCA, and related docs.
• Proven influence on design requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD (NX/CATIA/SolidWorks) and PLM tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication; capable of presenting to leadership.
• Willingness to work extended hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as manufacturing focal for subsystems/AI&T, establishing plans and presenting solutions.
• Plan and support builds of demonstrators and prototype hardware with hands-on support.
• Drive DFX, conduct producibility assessments, and develop roadmaps.
• Develop manufacturing artifacts including PRL assessments and build strategies.
• Partner with PM, Design Eng, and Operations to identify risks and mitigation.
• Mentor engineers and foster a culture of integrity and continuous improvement.

Skills

Lifecycle development

Welding methods (MIG/TIG)

Technical leadership

R&D hardware builds

CAD (NX/CATIA/SolidWorks)

PLM tools

Communication skills

Milestone flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

PLM tools

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.

Job Profile: Engineer - Manufacturing III

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.

Join the Manufacturing Engineering team supporting the Advanced Concepts & Enterprise Engineering business unit, where we provide technical solutions across multiple early‑stage development programs.

This role will set manufacturing operations direction for vehicle and subsystem‑level architectures, define engineering strategies, and ensure Blue Origin’s most innovative concepts are manufacturable from inception.

As a small, agile team operating at the intersection of innovation and manufacturability, we work with programs from initial concept through preliminary design definition representing the collective voice of manufacturing, supply chain, test, and other operations support functions.

We place significant effort on planning, trades, and architecture development before hardware builds begin.

From early planning to hands‑on support of demonstrators, we ensure manufacturing considerations shape rather than react to design decisions.

We thrive in ambiguity, make strategic recommendations quickly with limited data, and own technical roadmaps that impact programs at critical early stages.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the manufacturing technical focal for assigned subsystems and/or Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities, establishing manufacturing plans for vehicle architectures and presenting solutions to leadership
• Plan for and support builds of engineering demonstrators, test articles, and prototype hardware, providing hands‑on support during fabrication, assembly, and testing to validate manufacturing approaches
• Drive Design for Excellence (DFX) principles, conduct producibility assessments, support trade studies, and develop roadmaps to bridge manufacturing technology gaps
• Develop manufacturing artifacts including Production Readiness Level assessments, manufacturing management plans, build strategies, facility capacity plans, and tooling designs
• Partner with Program Management, Design Engineering, and Operations support teams to identify manufacturing risks, establish mitigation plans, and influence design/programmatic decisions
• Mentor engineers, challenge teams to question requirements and identify elegant solutions, and foster a culture of integrity and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field
• Strong understanding of component and system development lifecycle from concept through production
• Deep technical understanding of common methods like GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and welding methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, set strategic direction for manufacturing solutions, and apply project management skills to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders
• Experience planning and supporting R&D hardware builds including defining/reviewing design requirements, authoring manufacturing work instructions, managing BOMs, process documentation, and non-conformance resolution/RCCA
• Proven success influencing design requirements and developing manufacturing processes
• Experience with CAD systems (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) and PLM tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including experience presenting to senior leadership, with demonstrated ability to earn trust and maintain positive professional relationships
• Flexibility to support critical milestones, which may require extended hours

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or similarly complex manufacturing environments
• Background in designing weld fixtures and tooling to control part distortion.
• Spacecraft or launch vehicle integration experience with demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: Fluids/Propulsion Systems, Harnessing, Electrical Power Systems, Thermal Protection Systems, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, Integrated Vehicle Test, MGSE/EGSE
• Experience in technical leadership roles, with or without direct reports
• On‑Site R&D/prototype experience establishing novel manufacturing processes, tooling/fixturing/GSE, and ensuring producible designs through application of DFX principles
• Experience developing or maintaining subsystem or AI&T artifacts in hardware development programs
• Project management experience, training, and/or certification (PMP, Agile, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and assembly

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

• 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 Aff…

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices.

At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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