Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer | A Shift

Blue Origin LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) with 5% match

Education support program

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing and integrated test operations for optical instruments on lunar vehicles. You will develop the manufacturing build flow, establish tests and equipment, calibrate sensors, and ramp production as the programs grow.

You will coordinate with design engineering, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to drive manufacturability and maintain comprehensive documentation from prototype to full-rate production.

Qualifications

• B.S. in a related engineering field from an accredited university.
• 8+ years in prototyping, manufacturing, testing of optical systems.
• Experience with process control and root-cause analysis.
• Knowledge of scaling production from prototype to volume.
• Experience authoring English work instructions and docs.
• Familiarity with AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop production flow for optical products, including tests and calibration.
• Build out manufacturing cleanroom space with key stakeholders.
• Source and install optical equipment for manufacturing.
• Plan scaling of production per program requirements.
• Drive DFM/DFA/DFT into optical hardware with design teams.
• Create and maintain manufacturing docs across versions.
• Lead RCA and drive corrective actions with FMEAs and risk.
• Communicate status, risks, and challenges to management.
• Support GN&C camera/optical sensor hardware with manufacturability feedback.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

DFM / DFA / DFT

GD&T reading

Continuous improvement

Team coordination

Education

B.S. in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Optical Engineering or related

MS in Physics/Optical/Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Windchill

Teamcenter

Metrology/Inspection equipment

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 role is part of Blue Origin’s Operations group and will work with the Lunar Permanence Optical team. To further Blue Origin’s mission of having millions of people living and working in space, the Lunar teams are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. As part of a diverse hardworking team, the Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer will lead the manufacturing and integrated test operations for Blue Origin’s growing optical team. You will work alongside the optical systems team developing cameras (IR and visible spectrum) and lidar systems across Blue Origin’s Lunar vehicles.

You will lead the development of the manufacturing build flow for these instruments, including establishing the necessary tests and equipment to be employed during the receipt of subcomponents (laser, lenses, etc.), the precision build of subassemblies, the alignment of optics, the calibration of image sensors, and more. You will also be responsible for ramping production quantities over the lifecycle of growing vertically integrated product lines. This role is interdisciplinary and requires coordination among a diverse group of internal stakeholders, adjacent integrated product teams, and suppliers. Your contributions will enable the flight of state-of-the-art aerospace vehicles and missions.

Responsibilities

• Develop the production flow for the optical products and all testing, alignment, and calibration required during manufacturing.
• Work with key stakeholders to build out the manufacturing cleanroom space.
• Identify and source the needed optical specialty equipment for manufacturing and coordinate purchase and installation of the same.
• Develop medium- and long-term plans for scaling production quantities and rates per program requirements.
• Partner with design engineering to drive design for manufacturability (DFM), assembly (DFA), and test (DFT) into the optical hardware.
• Author and maintain the full set of manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flow diagrams, and inspection plans, across all build versions of the hardware, from prototype through full-rate production.
• Lead root cause analysis of process or product non-conformances and drive corrective actions through process FMEAs and risk assessments.
• Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management.
• Serve as the manufacturing voice during development of camera and optical sensor hardware for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) of lander subsystems, providing producibility and manufacturability feedback to the design teams and channeling lessons learned from the production floor back into the design.
• Support prototype hardware builds and stand up the associated manufacturing processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related area of study, from an accredited university.
• 8+ years of related experience in the prototyping, manufacturing, testing, and/or calibration of cameras, image sensors, lidar, or other optical imaging/sensing systems (e.g., aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications).
• Experience developing manufacturing and/or assembly processes for optical elements or instruments, including process control and root-cause analysis.
• Knowledge of scaling production from early prototypes to production volume.
• Experience authoring English-language work instructions and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience applying design for manufacturability, assembly, and test (DFM/DFA/DFT) principles.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings with complex GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and apply tolerance stack-up analysis to optical and opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with quality and safety standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence manufacturing operations, guiding technicians and engineers in manufacturing skills, processes, and requirements, and driving continuous improvement of processes and tooling.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the optical assembly product lifecycle, with a proven ability to earn trust and foster a culture of collaboration.
• 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

• M.S. degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, from an accredited university.
• 10+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of opto-electrical/opto-mechanical systems, including precision opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Background with laser operation, laser safety, and laser output characterization, including laser equipment inspection and performance verification.
• Knowledge and experience with the application of specialty adhesives and epoxies for optical assemblies.
• Knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or other programming language(s).
• Ability to define and perform calibration and characterization of imaging systems (MTF, distortion, color accuracy, stray light performance), and to store and manage the resulting calibration data and inspection metrics within the manufacturing flow.
• Experience identifying, specifying, installing, programming, and using state-of-the-art test equipment as needed (e.g., lens alignment equipment, theodolites, interferometers, collimators, etc.).
• Familiarity with NASA standards and optics industry standards.
• Experience in a cleanroom setting with Class 7 operations or better, including previous work in clean process development and maintaining cleanroom environment standards.
• Knowledge of optical component inspection processes for defects such as scratches, chips, and contamination, and the ability to identify non-conformances.
• Experience working with Bill-of-Materials (BOM) and BOM reconciliation.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing practices and principles; Lean Six Sigma certification a plus.
• Proficiency with PLM/MRP systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter).
• Experience designing, building, and commissioning tooling, jigs, and fixtures for manufacturing, assembly, and/or test.
• Prior involvement in New Product Introduction (NPI) or transition to production in an aerospace environment.

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $134,434.00 - $188,207.25. 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

• 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.
• Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation.
• 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.

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.

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affiliation 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.

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.