Sr. NDT Engineer

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Senior NDT Engineer to lead inspection across flight hardware and ground support equipment using PT, MT, ET, UT, and RT. You will set technique direction, author procedures, and guide production-ready solutions while mentoring Level I/II staff and collaborating with design teams.

You will participate in high-impact reviews, manage external relationships, and drive improvements across NDT methods for both New Glenn and Lunar programs.

Qualifications

• Technical Bachelor's or Master’s degree (engineering, physics, or related discipline).
• Typically 12+ years of relevant NDT engineering experience (or equivalent).
• ASNT Level III in two or more NDT methods (UT, RT, PT, MT, or ET).
• Excellent ability to read blueprints and schematic diagrams.
• Knowledge of NAS 410 or equivalent and AS9100.

Responsibilities

• Own NDT inspection across flight hardware and GSE using PT, MT, ET, UT, RT.
• Set technical direction for method development and reference standards across NDT methods.
• Lead anomaly investigations and root cause analyses for major non-conformances.
• Drive strategy for inspection capacity and stand-up of inspection systems to scale production.
• Develop and mature novel NDT methods for production-ready capability.
• Mentor Level I/II inspectors and junior engineers per NAS 410 equivalents.

Skills

ASNT Level III

NDT expertise

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in engineering/physics

Tools

SQL

Python

C++

C#

Intel Intrinsics

Job description

Application Close Date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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 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. As part of a hardworking team of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will lead development and production NDT activities for spaceflight systems supporting both New Glenn (launch vehicle) and Lunar (space systems) programs. This role encompasses the full range of NDT methods - dye penetrant (PT), magnetic particle (MT), eddy current (ET), ultrasonic (UT), and radiography (RT) - applied across metallic, composite, and bonded flight hardware as well as ground support equipment (GSE) and structural systems. You will own inspection challenges end-to-end - setting technical direction, developing novel methods, and mentoring the team - directly assuring part integrity, quality, and life for hardware that flies. We are looking for an established expert who brings broad NDT inspection capability across multiple methods and the technical leadership to drive strategy across our inspection portfolio. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

• Location: This role is based at Rocket Park.
• Schedule: B-Shift. (4:30pm-1am)
• Travel: Up to 25% to support test campaigns (e.g., static/pressure testing) and NDT supplier sites.
• Supports both launch vehicle / New Glenn and space systems / Lunar programs.

Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Own NDT inspection across flight hardware and ground support equipment using dye penetrant (PT), magnetic particle (MT), eddy current (ET), ultrasonic (UT), and radiographic (RT) techniques across the full development and production cycle.
• Set technical direction for technique development, procedure authoring, and reference standard design across multiple NDT methods; independently determine methods and procedures on new assignments.
• Provide advanced inspection support for automated NDT systems for specialized applications.
• Lead anomaly investigations and root cause analyses, developing recovery/corrective actions for major-scope non-conformances on mission-critical hardware.
• Drive strategy and decision-making for inspection capacity and capability, including specification, procurement, and stand-up of inspection systems to scale rate production.
• Develop and qualify novel NDT methods for atypical inspections; guide their maturation into production-ready capability.
• Partner upstream with design teams to maximize hardware inspectability; own technical reviews and documentation, and support external reviews (e.g., NSSL) as a prime technical contact.
• Develop and manage relationships with external suppliers, serving as an organizational technical spokesperson on advanced projects.
• Establish clear acceptance criteria and regularly review inspection decisions and quality outcomes across all NDT methods.
• Train, certify, and mentor Level I/II inspectors and junior engineers per Blue Origin's written practice (NAS 410 equivalent); set technical frameworks and capture best practices at the functional level.

Minimum Qualifications

• Technical Bachelor's or Master’s degree (engineering, physics, or related discipline).
• Typically 12+ years of relevant NDT engineering experience (or equivalent).
• ASNT Level III in two or more NDT methods (UT, RT, PT, MT, or ET), with extensive hands-on inspection experience across metallic and/or composite aerospace structures.
• Established professional expertise across the full inspection development and execution cycle—technique design, hazard identification, verification, and test.
• Demonstrated track record of independently developing solutions to complex problems requiring in-depth evaluation of variable factors, and leading root cause analyses.
• Experience determining optimal parameters, techniques, and calibrations across multiple NDT methods, and dispositioning data on critical structures.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints and schematic diagrams.
• Knowledge of NDT personnel certification practices (NAS 410 or equivalent) and AS9100.
• Demonstrated ability to earn trust, mentor, and represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (U.S. Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASNT Level II/III (or substantive expertise) in Infrared/Thermography (IR), Shearography, and/or Terahertz (THz).
• Experience inspecting both aerospace flight hardware and ground support equipment (GSE) / structural systems.
• Certification or substantive experience across five or more NDT methods.
• Experience in Probability of Detection (POD) studies.
• Experience with automated/robotic data acquisition and building scan paths in a 3D software environment.
• Software/automation coding experience: SQL, Python, C++, C#, Intel Intrinsics.
• Knowledge of industry NDT standards (NAS 410, ASTM E2580, E2533, E1495, E317, AMS-STD-2154).
• ABET-accredited mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or materials science & engineering degree.
• Ionizing radiation safety credential / third-party IRRSP certification (for RT support).
• Aerospace production or R&D experience; knowledge of metallic and composite fabrication processes.

Why Blue Origin

As a Senior NDT Engineer, you'll set the technical direction that safeguards the integrity of flight hardware and ground systems carrying our mission to orbit and the Moon. You'll own inspection challenges end-to-end across multiple methods, build next-generation capability, scale production inspection, and mentor the next generation of NDT talent—seeing your impact on every flight. Ready to define the standard for how we ensure every structure we fly is safe? Join us, and help build a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth.

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