Manufacturing Engineer III - Panels Subassemblies

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'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.

We are seeking a dynamic Manufacturing Engineer to join our Operations team at Astra, Blue Origin's Lunar subassembly facility in Melbourne, FL. This opening supports panel subassemblies for the Blue Moon human lunar landers. Among them are fluid, umbilical, and GNC panels.

The team is new and growing, and we build in small lots from development builds through first articles, so the processes you write become the baseline for every unit after. This role will lead the design and implementation of efficient manufacturing systems, ensure stringent quality control throughout production, and optimize supply chain logistics specific to Production/Operations.

The ideal candidate will be results-driven, skilled in resource management, and committed to high-quality standards. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance production timelines.

Leveraging advanced technologies and methodologies, you will contribute to improving manufacturing techniques, ensuring Blue Origin's continued innovation and excellence in aerospace engineering.

Position Specific Details

• Shift: 1st | Mon-Fri (day schedule) or A | Mon-Thu (5am-3:30pm) or B | Mon-Thu (3pm-1:30am) or C | Fri-Sun (5am-5:30pm), assigned per opening
• Location: Melbourne, FL (Space Coast), Astra facility
• Relocation: Available
• Potential travel up to 10% of the time for training and other support activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the manufacturing process for fluid, umbilical, and GNC panels, from tube installation, joining, and fittings through harness routing, sensor installation, and final panel assembly.
• Read P&IDs, wire diagrams, and drawings, find flaws in fluid and harness routing, and work with designers on changes.
• Plan the panel build for tool access, inspection (NDT) access, leak and proof testing, and harness installation flow, and adjust the sequence when an install doesn't go to plan.
• Control tube prep, cleaning, and back purge for orbital tube welds, and drive weld and leak failures to root cause.
• Work with the downstream integration team that installs your panels to get the best result on the vehicle.
• Write and maintain the work orders and work instructions that technicians build from, with clear steps, graphics, and buyoffs.
• Define the build and flow for your line (build sequence, work areas, labor estimates, and lead times) and own its manufacturing BOM, reconciled against the engineering BOM.
• Support technicians on the production floor during production shifts: answer build questions, write redlines, and disposition nonconformances with Quality and Design, owning root cause and corrective action for manufacturing-caused nonconformances.
• Specify and validate the tooling and fixtures your line needs, including weld and assembly fixtures, and keep the line's tooling list current.
• Give design engineers manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) input early, and represent manufacturing in design reviews.
• Lead Production Readiness Reviews for your line and take part in daily production escalation meetings.
• Run process FMEAs, validate new processes and equipment, build defect prevention into the process (for avionics: ESD, FOD, and handling controls that stop latent defects), and improve cycle time and first-pass yield.
• Follow AS9100 quality requirements and our safety standards in all work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering (other relevant fields may apply) from an accredited university.
• Academic, internship, or project experience with manufacturing or fabrication processes.
• Experience supporting production on the floor, including nonconformance disposition and root cause and corrective action, and communicating clearly in writing and in person with technicians, Quality, and Design.
• Experience installing fluid systems with fitting or welded joints, including reading P&IDs.
• 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.
• Must be able to work 1st shift (Monday to Friday, day schedule), A shift (Monday to Thursday, 5am to 3:30pm), B shift (Monday to Thursday, 3pm to 1:30am), or C shift (Friday to Sunday, 5am to 5:30pm), as assigned, and have flexibility to move shifts as needed. Open to work extended hours if required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role in aerospace or another high-reliability industry.
• 5+ years of experience writing work instructions or work orders in English.
• Experience leading manufacturing projects and reviewing other engineers' work.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical leadership to engineers.
• Experience with orbital tube welding, flared and swaged fittings, and flight tubing materials, including weld procedure specifications (WPS), weld inspection, and leak and proof testing.
• Experience defining, building, and validating tooling and fixtures, including weld fixtures.
• Experience building avionics or harness assemblies, including splicing and sensor surface prep, IPC/WHMA-A-620 Space Addendum certification (J-STD-001 a plus), and ESD and FOD prevention.
• Experience with automated or digital torque tools.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) or transition-to-production experience on low-rate, high-mix builds, including process FMEA, process validation, and continuous improvement (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent).
• Experience with Windchill PLM and a manufacturing execution system (MES) with digital work orders, including BOM reconciliation and build sequencing for complex assemblies.
• Hands-on cleanroom experience (ISO 8 preferred).
• Able to read CAD models (Creo preferred) and apply GD&T to the product.
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering field.

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, 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.