Manufacturing Optimization Engineer III

Blue Origin LLC; Washington; On-site; USD 112,000 - 157,000; 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 LLC is seeking a proactive engineer to lead manufacturing‑related projects, drive continuous improvement, and manage production scheduling. The role emphasizes data mining, cost/price evaluations, and process optimization within a fast-paced aerospace environment.

The position requires a BS in a related engineering field, strong Excel skills, and excellent communication. Occasional relocation and travel may be involved; U.S. citizenship or equivalent is required.

Qualifications

• BS in Operations Research, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related engineering degree.
• Strong analytic skill set and a high degree of proficiency in data mining.
• Excellent data analysis skills using Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Self-starter who earns trust, maintains positive relationships, and contributes to inclusion.
• US citizenship, national status, permanent residency, or lawful entry into the U.S. (per regulations).

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing‑related projects: production scheduling, theory of constraints, budgets and forecasts, resource allocation, and cost/price evaluations.
• Process improvement through lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and time studies.
• Oversee operations planning, capacity planning, and recovery planning.
• Design and analyze integrated systems: value stream analysis, facility layouts, and production system design.
• Support other Blue Origin sites and travel as needed.

Skills

Data analysis

Interpersonal communication

Self-starter

Citizenship compliance

Education

BS in Operations Research, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related engineering degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Position Overview

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 communications and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable manufacturing. 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.

As part of a passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for managing various technical projects for TeraWave — Blue Origin's satellite communications program. This is a hands‑on position that requires effective communication, high judgment, and knowledge of the manufacturing production system.

We are seeking a proactive, collaborative individual with excellent analytical ability and project management acuity that can thrive in a fast‑paced environment. This role requires strong attention to detail and a passion for providing more than just the numbers. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Position Details

• Shift: Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
• Relocation: Available

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing‑related Projects Production Support – Production Scheduling, Theory of Constraints, Budgets and Forecasts, Crew Empowerment, Defect Analysis and Benchmarking Analysis, Core Competency Definition, Resource Allocation, Scenario Planning, Discrete Event Simulation, Make/Buy Evaluations, and Cost/Price Evaluations.
• Process Improvement – Lean Manufacturing, Engineering Economic Analysis, Process Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Methods, Six Sigma, Time Studies, Waste Reduction, and Work Sampling.
• Operations improvement – Ergonomic and Human Factors, Operations Plans, Recovery planning, Capacity planning, Capital planning.
• Integrated Systems – Value Stream Analysis, Facility Layouts, Production Systems Design, Manufacturing Process Design, Systems Thinking, Facilities Planning, and Requirement.
• Supporting other Blue sites with eventual relocation possibilities and willingness to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• BS in Operations Research, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or related engineering degree.
• Strong analytic skill set and a high degree of proficiency in data mining.
• Outstanding with Excel and manual data analysis.
• Excellent Interpersonal Communication Skills.
• Self‑Starter Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional 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

• Operations Management, Advanced Data Mining, MSE and/or MBA.
• 3 - 10+ years proven experience working directly with manufacturing in a production environment.
• Experience in machine shops and fabrication environments.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing and/or facilities planning.
• 3+ years of factory flow and process modeling and simulations experience.
• 2+ years of experience leading continuous improvement and value stream mapping events.
• Additive manufacturing experience.
• Project Management Certification (PMP).
• Experience transitioning development to production.
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
• Manned space flight production experience.
• Strong teaming skills.
• Experience with manufacturing organizations, logistics, continuous improvement and/or supply chain.
• Hands‑on experience with materials and manufacturing processes.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Compensation

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60