Strategic AI-Driven Automation Architect for Space

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 190,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Parental leave

401(k) match

Education support

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin in Merritt Island, Florida is actively seeking an Embedded Automation Architect to lead the automation strategy for a designated business unit, shaping a multi-year roadmap and driving AI-enabled controls from concept to production.

You will partner with design and engineering teams to freeze designs, reduce part counts, and defend internal-build options, while ensuring safety-critical features have proper human oversight and cost reductions are realized through automation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in automation, controls, or robotics engineering with hands-on design and integration.
• Experience owning automation strategy or multi-project roadmaps across facilities.
• Deep knowledge of PLC/controls, robotics, motion, and vision systems.
• Understanding IT/OT interconnectivity and digital thread concepts.
• Practical fluency with AI-enabled automation approaches and tooling.
• Strong make-versus-buy judgment and ability to defend business cases.
• Knowledge of design-for-automation and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent stakeholder communication; travel to Blue Origin sites may be required.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the automation roadmap for the assigned business unit.
• Lead make-versus-buy decisions and defend internal-build options.
• Enforce design-for-automation upstream with design and engineering teams.
• Architect AI-enabled automation and integrate model-driven programming.
• Operate as automation authority across teams and manage project scoping.
• Ensure maintenance basis, spares, and telemetry are defined for each cell.
• Translate roadmap items into projects and hand off to central teams.
• Build a strong financial case for automation with payback analyses.

Skills

Automation strategy

Roadmap ownership

PLC/controls

Robotics

IT/OT integration

AI-enabled automation

Design-for-manufacturing

Manufacturing processes

Communication skills

Willing to travel

US citizenship / eligibility

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Eng.

Tools

Ignition

WinCC

FactoryTalk

Job description

Blue Origin in Merritt Island, Florida is actively seeking an Embedded Automation Architect to lead the automation strategy for a designated business unit, shaping a multi-year roadmap and driving AI-enabled controls from concept to production.

You will partner with design and engineering teams to freeze designs, reduce part counts, and defend internal-build options, while ensuring safety-critical features have proper human oversight and cost reductions are realized through automation.