Prototype Engineer - SWORD

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Short/long-term disability

401(k) with company match

Education Support

Job summary

Blue Origin in Merritt Island, FL, is seeking a hands-on engineer to lead CNC machining and manufacturing development for aerospace hardware. You will collaborate with design teams, prototypes, and machinists, using CAD tools and GD&T knowledge to drive manufacturability and rapid iteration.

The role requires a BS in engineering and 8+ years in CNC machining for complex products. You’ll mentor tooling design, review drawings, and help shape manufacturing processes while coordinating with global

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years in CNC machining manufacturing environment for complex products, such as: aerostructure, space systems, aerospace, life support systems.
• Demonstrated success in Product Development.
• Demonstrated success in constantly evolving environment.
• Able to take on challenges with incomplete information and pivot to drive progress.
• Work well in a collaborative team environment.
• Eager to jump in and manufacture as the need arises.
• Consistent track record of manufacturing experience directly related to part machining.
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals for mechanical design and manufacturing including working knowledge of GD&T.
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Scheduling, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Highly customer focused with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with teams of skills across large geographic distances.
• Proficient in CAD

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams during design and development of hardware.
• Champion the prototyping process with internal customers, including challenging requirements and managing manufacturing plans for development hardware.
• Manufacture and evaluate hardware prototypes over several iterations in collaboration with design teams and machinists.
• Hands‑on contribution to manufacturing and development efforts, as required.
• Utilize CNC & manual equipment to support product development efforts, as required.
• Provide guidance on design for manufacturing, CNC machining techniques, tool selection, work‑holding, and equipment.
• Implementing new capabilities to support critical schedules.
• Perform engineering drawing review and provide final approval for manufacturing.
• Define and support repair and rework activities.
• Design tooling and fixturing for ease of manufacturing.
• Engineer and fabricate solutions, as required.

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.

This is a hands‑on role which requires strong communication, engineering fundamentals, and the ability to make the products. Members on this team are expected to operate with a rapid iterative development mindset.

Responsibilities May Include

• Collaborate with engineering teams during design and development of hardware.
• Champion the prototyping process with internal customers, including challenging requirements and managing manufacturing plans for development hardware.
• Manufacture and evaluate hardware prototypes over several iterations in collaboration with design teams and machinists.
• Hands‑on contribution to manufacturing and development efforts, as required.
• Utilize CNC & manual equipment to support product development efforts, as required.
• Provide guidance on design for manufacturing, CNC machining techniques, tool selection, work‑holding, and equipment.
• Implementing new capabilities to support critical schedules.
• Perform engineering drawing review and provide final approval for manufacturing.
• Define and support repair and rework activities.
• Design tooling and fixturing for ease of manufacturing.
• Engineer and fabricate solutions, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years in CNC machining manufacturing environment for complex products, such as: aerostructure, space systems, aerospace, life support systems.
• Demonstrated success in Product Development.
• Demonstrated success in constantly evolving environment.
• Able to take on challenges with incomplete information and pivot to drive progress.
• Work well in a collaborative team environment.
• Eager to jump in and manufacture as the need arises.
• Consistent track record of manufacturing experience directly related to part machining.
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals for mechanical design and manufacturing including working knowledge of GD&T.
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Scheduling, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Highly customer focused with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with teams of skills across large geographic distances.
• Proficient in CAD

Must Be Physically Able To

• Support manufacturing and fabrication floor activities.
• Climb stairs and work in small areas.
• Lift and carry 40 lbs.

Desired

• Experience in rapid development environment.
• Experience in an aerospace manufacturing facility preferred.
• Tooling and fixture design experience.
• Hands‑on machining experience and/or CNC programming familiarity.
• Broad experience in manufacturing: welding, assembly, integration, instrumentation, cleaning, non‑destructive testing, leak testing, fabrication, machining, etc.
• Experience with Siemens NX (Designcenter)
• Experience with Siemens Teamcenter and Opcenter

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.

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 Affirmitve 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.