Materials and Process Engineer III - Contamination Control

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Stock options

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a contamination control specialist to enforce cleanliness standards across flight hardware and manufacturing areas. You will work with manufacturing and contamination-control engineers to develop and maintain precision-cleaning processes, ensuring ISO classifications and aerospace specifications are met.

The role emphasizes hands-on testing, documenting MPC specifications, supporting design reviews, and training junior engineers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in contamination control, M&P engineering, or a closely related aerospace/defense discipline.
• Familiarity with cleanliness standards such as IEST-STD-CC1246, MIL-STD-1246, SAE AS598, and/or ISO 14644.
• Hands-on experience with cleanliness verification techniques: particle counting, NVR analysis, witness coupons, and optical inspection.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and material/process specifications.
• Demonstrated experience implementing contamination control plans for flight or high-reliability hardware.
• Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a demonstrated ability to drive material/process development and qualifications to completion with little guidance.

Responsibilities

• Enforce enterprise-wide cleanliness level requirements for flight hardware, environment, fluids, and support equipment.
• Enforce enterprise-wide contamination-control standards and ensure consistency across programs and sites.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers, contamination control engineers, and technicians to develop and precision-cleaning processes as well as maintain those cleanliness levels throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
• Partner with work centers to provide guidance on establishing, certifying, and monitoring controlled work areas and clean rooms for all ISO classifications.
• Author, set up, and contamination control M&P specifications, work instructions, engineering dispositions, and test plans in accordance with aerospace requirements and industry standards.
• Support failure investigations involving contamination as a root cause or contributing factor.
• Support design reviews by evaluating hardware designs for cleaning accessibility, including geometry and material compatibility.
• Perform or oversee cleanliness verification testing, including surface particle counts and NVR
• Assess facilities and work locations for suitability to support required cleanliness levels, and develop compensating measures or mitigation strategies for areas that do not meet requirements.
• Train and mentor junior engineers and technicians on contamination control practices.
• Travel as necessary to support design interface meetings, operations support, or off-site development activities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area in alignment with 5S standards.

Skills

Contamination control

M&P engineering

Cleanliness standards

Particle counting

NVR analysis

Optical inspection

GD&T interpretation

Root cause analysis

Self-motivation

Education

Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Materials Science & Engineering

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design. We are a 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. As part of a unique, rapidly evolving team, you will develop, qualify, and support precision cleaning processes for flight hardware as well as support maintaining system cleanliness throughout hardware’s lifecycle in accordance with Blue Origin’s strict aerospace specifications. You will work hands-on with manufacturing engineers, contamination-control engineers, and technicians in the manufacturing area to build our launch vehicles and spacecraft. We seek people who are passionate about space and possess a strong desire to deliver results. We are looking for a self-motivated individual 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!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Enforce enterprise-wide cleanliness level requirements for flight hardware, environment, fluids, and support equipment
• Enforce enterprise-wide contamination-control standards and ensure consistency across programs and sites
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers, contamination control engineers, and technicians to develop and precision-cleaning processes as well as maintain those cleanliness levels throughout the manufacturing lifecycle
• Partner with work centers to provide guidance on establishing, certifying, and monitoring controlled work areas and clean rooms for all ISO classifications
• Author, set up, and contamination control M&P specifications, work instructions, engineering dispositions, and test plans in accordance with aerospace requirements and industry standards
• Support failure investigations involving contamination as a root cause or contributing factor
• Support design reviews by evaluating hardware designs for cleaning accessibility, including geometry and material compatibility
• Perform or oversee cleanliness verification testing, including surface particle counts and NVR
• Assess facilities and work locations for suitability to support required cleanliness levels, and develop compensating measures or mitigation strategies for areas that do not meet requirements
• Train and mentor junior engineers and technicians on contamination control practices
• Travel as necessary to support design interface meetings, operations support, or off-site development activities
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area in alignment with 5S standards

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in contamination control, M&P engineering, or a closely related aerospace/defense discipline
• Familiarity with cleanliness standards such as IEST-STD-CC1246, MIL-STD-1246, SAE AS598, and/or ISO 14644
• Hands-on experience with cleanliness verification techniques: particle counting, NVR analysis, witness coupons, and optical inspection
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and material/process specifications
• Demonstrated experience implementing contamination control plans for flight or high-reliability hardware
• Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a demonstrated ability to drive material/process development and qualifications to completion with little guidance
• Calm demeanor in high-pressure situations with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing requirements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to write clear technical documents and present findings to multi-discipline teams
• 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 Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Experience with propulsion systems (liquid rocket engines, propellant feed systems, or pressurization systems)
• Familiarity with optical, cryogenic, or precision mechanism cleanliness requirements
• Experience supporting hardware through full product lifecycle
• Experience in aerospace failure analysis and root cause investigation involving contamination as a root cause or contributing factor
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement certification

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

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 Affidavit 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.

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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