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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

New Shepard: This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space. 

As part of a hardworking team of diverse specialists, technicians, and engineers you will Work closely with engineering design, production, and company leadership to support all manufacturing efforts and equipment related to building various New Shepard spaceflight systems. This includes leading the development of manufacturing bill of material, work instruction, design for manufacturability, non-conformance disposition & processing, and process specification.  Conduct DFMA and PFMEA studies to strengthen the feedback loop between design, build, and test and accelerate the pace of crew capsule build and development.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, 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.

• Shifts available: Weekdays Monday- Friday

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop manufacturing work instructions to clearly define manufacturing processes for composites fabrication, inspection, trimming, and assembly. 

• Lead DFMA & PFMEA analysis at part, assembly, and system level to improve build sequence, manufacturing processes, layout development and feedback loop between design, build, and test.

• Develop and implement procedure for the rework and repair for composite structures

• Perform hands-on engineering and liaison role between our design, test, operations, and manufacturing customers.  

• Lead troubleshooting efforts and dispositioning of non-conforming (NC) structural related issues - preferably on addressing tolerance stack-up, weld inspection, drilling, or manufacturing of structural hardware - through detailed work instructions.  

• Lead efforts to identify and resolve Root Cause of vehicle non-conformances through Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA)   

• Develop overall assembly sequencing for vehicle assembly and make real-time adjustments as needed to deal with production issues.

• Interpret design engineering documents into work orders that direct touch labor on the vehicle integration floor.

• Maintain documentation pedigree to support human capable flight.

• Take ownership over configuration management of flight inventory.

• Develop tooling concepts for assembly fixtures, procure and commission this equipment.

• Support hardware integration on the floor and solve issues as they arise throughout the day.

• Provide design for manufacturability review of vehicle designs, and make recommendations to improve quality, simplify operations and reduce cost.

• Help develop the internal specifications required to support the manufacture of human capable flight vehicles.

• Develop process controls on critical manufacturing characteristics.

• Take ownership of product quality, establishing procedures and processes to support continuous improvement.

• Use of process mapping, Kaizen, and other tools to reduce cycle time, defects and waste.

• Design and populate assigned work center with equipment required to produce human capable launch vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, or industrial engineering or other relevant field 

• 10+ years of relevant experience. Relevant internship experience and/or relevant extracurricular activities may count as years of experience. 

• Strong knowledge of composite materials, integration process (e.g., bonding, assembly, curing, drilling), and quality control techniques

• Familiarity with common Non-Destructive Test, including visual, dye penetrant, ultrasound, x-ray, CT scan, Eddy Current, XRF scan. 

• Project management skills and strong coordination to track, manage, and prioritize multiple simultaneous tasks.  

• Experience with manufacturing fabrication and assembly processes, work order creation/management, BOM structures, and quality control. 

• Working knowledge of common aerospace and/or military standards 

• Experienced in repair and rework activities 

• Experienced with 3D CAD software, 2D and 3D engineering drawings

• Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) 

• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the product lifecycle.  

• Excellent attention to detail and strong task ownership, someone who demonstrates pride in all work and willingness to perform low-level tasks when needed.

• Strong written, personal, and computer skills. Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at the executive leadership level and on the shop floor. 

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and handle small and large projects with a diversity of internal and external customers.  

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.

• Experience with launch vehicle, aircraft, or spacecraft manufacturing and integration preferred. Experience with other types of vehicles (automotive, heavy equipment, marine, etc.) or other types of complex assemblies may able be applicable.

• 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

• 10+ years of relevant experience, particularly in fluids design, in-space propulsion, or cryogenic systems

• Master’s of Science in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related 

• Experience with automated fiber placement, out-of-autoclave curing, non-destructive testing, and trimming of composite parts 

• Working knowledge of structural mechanics principals including but not limited to load path distribution, strength of materials, and how to interpret finite element analysis (FEA). 

• Experience performing DFMA & PFMEA analysis.

• Experience with human-rated spacecraft

• Experience with full spacecraft design life cycle

• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma processes and implementation

• Proficiency in 3D CAD programs (Creo Pro/E preferred)  

• Working knowledge of welding standards (AWS D17.1) 

• Working knowledge of Rigging Hardware (ASME 30.26) 

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $126,201.00-$176,681.40

Other site ranges may differ

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

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

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.

Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” 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 [email protected].

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.