Senior Supplier Liaison Engineer

Blue Origin LLC; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); On-site; USD 124,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Senior Supplier Liaison Engineer to lead inspection of manufacturing and work instruction processes, ensure quality, and drive continuous improvement for PCB to solar array assemblies. You will develop inspection standards, reduce defects, and ensure hardware meets design and workmanship requirements.

The role supports production operations, collaborates with design engineering for DFM/DFA feedback, and requires up to 50% travel to supplier and production sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of PCB manufacturing, assembly, or inspection experience.
• Solar array experience and knowledge of AIAA S-111A / S-112A IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001.
• Certified Instructor or Specialist certification.
• Proficiency with inspection tools including AOI, SPI, X-ray, and microscopy.
• Experience authoring and dispositioning nonconformance reports.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Solar array workmanship inspections per AIAA S-111A / S-112A — CIC assemblies, coverglass integrity, adhesive bond quality (voids, bubbles, tear outs, overflow), interconnect deformation, and cell crack/chip mapping
• Lead IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship inspections for PCB assemblies, including SMT, through-hole, and mixed-technology boards
• Develop, review, maintain, and improve inspection procedures, work instructions, and acceptance criteria
• Perform and oversee first article inspections (FAI), in-process inspections, and final acceptance testing
• Utilize automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, and other inspection tools to identify and disposition nonconformances
• Investigate and disposition nonconforming hardware; author NCRs and support root cause and corrective action (RCCA) processes
• Collaborate with design engineering to provide DFM/DFA feedback and support design reviews
• Support supplier quality activities including source inspections and supplier audits and review supplier’s conformance to industry standards
• Develop and deliver workmanship training to technicians and inspectors
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defect rates and improve first-pass yield
• Support AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management system compliance
• Up to 50% travel to supplier and production sites required

Skills

PCB manufacturing

Inspection leadership

AOI inspection

X-ray inspection

DFM/DFA feedback

Root cause analysis

ERP/MES familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field

Tools

AOI equipment

X-ray equipment

SPI/microscopy tools

ERP/MES systems (SAP/Oracle)

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!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

Senior Supplier Liaison Engineer

Job Summary: The Senior Supplier Liaison Engineer is responsible for leading inspection of manufacturing and work instruction processes, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives for various products, from printed circuit board assemblies to completed electronics and solar array assemblies. This role supports production operations by developing and maintaining inspection standards, driving defect reduction, and ensuring hardware meets design and workmanship requirements.

Responsibilities

• Solar array workmanship inspections per AIAA S-111A / S-112A — covering CIC assemblies, coverglass integrity, adhesive bond quality (voids, bubbles, tear outs, overflow), interconnect deformation, and cell crack/chip mapping
• Lead IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship inspections for PCB assemblies, including SMT, through-hole, and mixed-technology boards
• Develop, review, maintain, and improve inspection procedures, work instructions, and acceptance criteria
• Perform and oversee first article inspections (FAI), in-process inspections, and final acceptance testing
• Utilize automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, and other inspection tools to identify and disposition nonconformances
• Investigate and disposition nonconforming hardware; author NCRs and support root cause and corrective action (RCCA) processes
• Collaborate with design engineering to provide DFM/DFA feedback and support design reviews
• Support supplier quality activities including source inspections and supplier audits and review supplier’s conformance to industry standards
• Develop and deliver workmanship training to technicians and inspectors
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defect rates and improve first-pass yield
• Support AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management system compliance
• Up to 50% travel to supplier and production sites required

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in PCB manufacturing, assembly, or inspection
• Solar array experience and knowledge of AIAA S-111A / S-112A IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001
• Certified Instructor or Specialist certification
• Proficiency with inspection tools including AOI, SPI, X-ray, and microscopy
• Experience authoring and dispositioning nonconformance reports
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or space hardware manufacturing
• IPC-7711/7721 rework and repair certification
• Experience with AS9100 quality management systems
• Familiarity with conformal coating, potting, and advanced packaging inspection
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification
• Experience supporting DCMA or government source inspection activities

Base Pay Range

For CO applicants is $123,611.00 - $173,054.70. 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. 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 characterist controlled 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 affirmative 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. 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.