Sr. Automation Project Engineer

Blue Origin; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 181,626 - 254,275; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin's Honeybee Robotics unit in Colorado seeks an experienced Project Engineer for automated manufacturing systems. You will define requirements, develop simulations, and lead design-for-automation efforts, delivering production-ready solutions that scale across programs.

The role requires hands-on mechanical/controls experience, leadership skills, and a focus on repeatable, efficient manufacturing within Blue Origin's factory automation environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in automated manufacturing systems, with at least 2 years in a leadership role on capital equipment or automation projects.
• Hands-on automation design and controls experience to lead engineering teams and make informed design decisions.
• Experience with automation simulation and cycle time analysis using Process Simulate, Visual Components, FlexSim, or similar.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States per security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions.
• Develop simulations and cycle-time models to evaluate automation strategies and line architectures.
• Lead design-for-automation initiatives with product design teams and improve manufacturability.
• Prepare cost estimates, labor hours, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions.
• Own project execution from requirements through commissioning, maintaining schedule and budget.

Skills

Automation design

Project leadership

Industrial controls

Process simulation

Engineering judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Controls/Mechatronics

Tools

Process Simulate

Visual Components

FlexSim

Job description

Overview

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 are developing 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. As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, Honeybee Robotics collaborates on advanced motion control solutions for NASA, defense, and commercial programs; the Colorado location specializes in this field. Our work spans from conceptual design to flight missions and includes projects such as NASA\'s Artemis I Mission and the Roman Space Telescope. We seek technically brilliant individuals who thrive in collaborative environments and demonstrate a laser focus on the details that drive excellence.

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is a spaceflight and exploration company founded on the belief that humanity\'s future depends on living and working in space. We aim to lower the cost of access to space through reusable launch vehicles and in-space systems. We value curiosity, passion, integrity, and a relentless drive to achieve our mission. Blue Origin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About This Role

Honeybee Robotics, a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. Our Colorado-based Motion Control Business Unit designs, manufactures, and tests high-performance motion control components and integrated solutions for NASA, defense, and commercial programs, including Artemis I and the Roman Space Telescope.

This role resides within the Honeybee Robotics Motion Control Business Unit, supporting Blue Origin\'s Factory Automation team — the in-house automation integrator within Advanced Manufacturing responsible for designing, building, and deploying custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production. We build manufacturing capability from the ground up, developing automated solutions that directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin\'s products across current and future programs.

We are looking for an experienced Project Engineer who brings hands-on technical experience in mechanical and/or controls engineering for industrial automation, coupled with leadership experience to drive complex projects from requirements through delivered, production-ready systems. This is not a conceptual or R&D role: the right candidate has demonstrated experience delivering automated manufacturing systems that run in production. You should understand the why behind the systems you build, reason from first principles, challenge requirements that complicate scalable automation, and advocate for designs that enable repeatable, efficient manufacturing. A passion for our mission and for building systems that work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Engage internal customers to define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions
• Develop conceptual simulations and cycle time models of individual machines and production lines to evaluate and recommend optimal automation strategies and production line architectures
• Develop initial conceptual solutions for automated manufacturing equipment; present solutions and justifications to customer stakeholders and refine approaches based on feedback
• Lead Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives with product design teams; recommend product modifications to improve automated manufacturability and reduce system complexity
• Prepare cost estimates, labor-hour projections, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions; develop scope of work documents for individual machinery for delivery to internal customers
• Own project execution from requirements definition through commissioning, maintaining schedule, budget, and scope alignment throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge of assigned projects; serve as the primary point of accountability for system requirements, design decisions, and project status
• Identify and evaluate automation component suppliers, support procurement and sourcing decisions
• Collaborate with engineering teams during detailed design; provide technical clarification and maintain alignment with conceptual intent

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems, including a minimum 2 years in a project management, technical lead, or equivalent leadership role on capital equipment or automation projects
• Hands-on technical experience in industrial automation, including mechanical design, controls engineering, or both, sufficient to lead engineering teams and make informed design decisions
• Experience with automation simulation and cycle time analysis using tools such as Process Simulate, Visual Components, FlexSim, or similar
• 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

• Familiarity with PLC, CNC, and robot programming concepts to evaluate technical feasibility and communicate with controls engineers
• Experience with varied industrial automation applications including welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, machine vision, and similar
• PMP certification or formal project management training
• Experience developing capital project budgets and cost models for automation systems, including vendor quote analysis and should-cost modeling
• Experience developing scope of work documents, RFQs, or technical specifications for procurement of automation sub-systems and equipment from external suppliers
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering first principles to evaluate automation feasibility and develop technically sound solutions

Dont have all the listed qualifications? Blue Origin is committed to building a mixed team. If you meet the basic qualifications and are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation

Base Pay Range for CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35

Other site ranges may differ

Culture and Compliance

Blue Origin is committed to an authentic workplace. If you do not meet every qualification, apply anyway; you may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Blue\'s Standard Background Check required for all positions
• Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check for roles on military installations
• CDL and related checks may be required for certain job profiles

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, and Education Support Program
• Stock options for regular employees (at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: up to four weeks per year plus holidays

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We hire and promote based on qualifications, performance, and abilities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. Details on rights and accommodations are available in our policies.