Supplier Development Engineer

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 112,059 - 156,882; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 50% of the time

Multiple positions available

Job summary

Blue Origin, based in Washington, seeks a Supplier Development Engineer to lead qualification programs transforming our supplier base from reactive to ready. You will design development activities with critical suppliers, including DtM workshops and capacity improvements, while regularly visiting supplier sites to own qualification outcomes.

You will collaborate across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Programs to ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met, supporting

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in an Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or cross-functional role with supplier-facing accountability.
• Experience planning and executing supplier audits or manufacturing readiness assessments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how process maturity affects quality, delivery, and cost outcomes.
• Experience working across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Program teams.
• Ability to travel regularly to supplier facilities.
• Excellent communication skills - set clear expectations with suppliers, drive accountability, and translate technical requirements.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification activities through Blue Origin's four-gate pathway (Capability Survey, On-Site Audit, First Article Inspection, Rate Readiness).
• Conduct on-site supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing process maturity, quality systems, capacity, and readiness.
• Own and maintain complete qualification files from initial assessment through first article approval and into production.
• Drive supplier development programs with Strategic and Preferred tier suppliers, including workshops and capacity investment planning.
• Partner with Supplier Quality to assess QMS capability and establish a quality baseline for new suppliers.
• Maintain the enterprise qualification library to enable cross-program reuse of qualification data.
• Support international supplier development by applying consistent qualification standards.
• Contribute to annual and quarterly supplier conferences to align on performance and roadmaps.
• Build qualification data in systems of record to support sourcing decisions.

Skills

Supplier development

Manufacturing engineering

Audit experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

B.S. degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

First Article Inspection (FAI)

Job description

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Overview

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 a Supplier Development Engineer at Blue Origin, you will build and execute the technical programs that transform our supply base from reactive to ready. Working directly with suppliers, you will lead qualification activities across Blue Origin's four-gate pathway - from initial capability survey through first article approval and rate readiness - initiating qualifications ahead of demand so that schedule risk never begins at the supplier. You will design and run development programs with our most critical suppliers, including design-to-manufacture workshops and yield and capacity improvement initiatives - driving measurable improvements in quality, delivery, and technical maturity. This is a field-forward role: you will be on-site with suppliers regularly, owning the qualification outcome.

This position will have a direct impact on the history of space exploration, requiring your unwavering commitment to safe and repeatable spaceflight. Blue Origin's production ambitions depend on a supply base that is qualified, capable, and continuously improving - and this role is at the center of building that foundation from scratch. By standing up Blue Origin's first dedicated Supplier Development and Qualification function, you will help realize our vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, supplier-facing leadership, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 50% of the time
• Multiple positions available

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification activities through Blue Origin's four-gate pathway (Capability Survey, On-Site Audit, First Article Inspection, Rate Readiness) - initiating qualifications proactively ahead of program demand
• Conduct on-site supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing process maturity, quality systems, capacity, and readiness to meet Blue Origin's performance requirements
• Own and maintain complete qualification files for assigned suppliers and commodities, from initial assessment through first article approval and into production
• Drive supplier development programs with Strategic and Preferred tier suppliers, including design-to-manufacture workshops and capacity investment planning
• Partner with Supplier Quality during the qualification process to assess supplier QMS capability and quality system maturity - establishing a clear quality baseline before suppliers enter the approved supply base
• Maintain the enterprise qualification library to enable cross-program reuse of qualification data, reducing redundant efforts across Blue Origin's business units
• Support international supply base development by applying consistent qualification and development standards to global suppliers
• Contribute to Blue Origin's annual and quarterly supplier conference programs to align on performance expectations, development roadmaps, and strategic partnerships
• Build and maintain qualification and capability data in systems of record to support supply base visibility, sourcing decisions, and future-state automation

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in an Engineering or field
• 4+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or a related cross-functional role with direct supplier-facing accountability
• Experience planning and executing supplier audits or manufacturing readiness assessments
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how process maturity affects quality, delivery, and cost outcomes
• Experience working across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Program teams
• Ability to travel regularly to supplier facilities
• Excellent communication skills - ability to set clear expectations with suppliers, drive accountability, and translate technical performance requirements across organizational boundaries
• 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

• Experience in aerospace, space systems, defense, advanced manufacturing, or another high-complexity regulated industry
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102 or equivalent standard
• Familiarity with AS9100 or AS9120 quality management system requirements
• Experience designing or executing supplier development programs, including DtM workshops, capacity planning, and yield improvement initiatives
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, or similar process improvement training or experience
• Experience with supplier tiering models, quarterly business reviews, or executive business reviews
• Familiarity with rate readiness assessments, production readiness reviews, or supplier ramp planning
• Experience supporting international supply base development or global supplier engagement

Compensation and Benefits

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60

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 (CDL drivers only), 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

• Benefits include: 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 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. 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.