Manufacturing Engineer III - Mechanical Systems

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!

As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, Honeybee Robotics has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. Our Colorado location specializes in creating advanced motion control solutions for NASA, defense, and commercial programs. Our work has played a critical role in thousands of projects, spanning from conceptual design studies to flight missions, including NASA's Artemis I Mission and the Roman Space Telescope. We are seeking technically brilliant individuals who are passionate about their work, thrive in collaborative environments, and have a laser focus on the details that drive excellence.

Honeybee Robotics, a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. Our Colorado-based Motion Control Business Unit designs, manufactures, and tests high-performance motion control components and integrated solutions — from actuators and gearboxes to motors and precision control systems — for NASA, defense, and commercial programs, including NASA's Artemis I Mission and the Roman Space Telescope.

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced Manufacturing & Tooling Development Engineer III to lead the design, development, and validation of assembly tooling, fixtures, and aids supporting the build and integration of complex precision mechanical assemblies. You will serve as the technical authority for assembly tooling and fixturing across the product lifecycle — from early design engagement through production implementation — driving build quality, assembly repeatability, and schedule performance in support of high-volume production for TeraWave motion control products.

Responsibilities

Assembly Tooling & Fixture Design

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of assembly fixtures, build aids, handling fixtures, installation tools, and torque tooling for complex precision mechanical assemblies including actuators, gearboxes, motors, and integrated motion control units

• Define assembly fixture requirements based on component geometry, assembly sequence, interface constraints, and production rate needs; generate complete tooling design packages including 3D models, detailed drawings, BOMs, and acceptance criteria

• Apply sound locating, clamping, and datum referencing principles to ensure assembly fixtures deliver repeatable, process-capable builds across production volumes and operator skill levels

• Design tooling solutions that support manual, semi-automated, and potentially robotic assembly operations, including part presentation fixtures, press and insertion aids, alignment fixtures, and subassembly holding fixtures

• Design handling and transportation fixtures to protect sensitive assemblies and subassemblies during build and inspection operations

• Evaluate and select tooling materials, coatings, and construction methods appropriate for the expected wear life, assembly environment, and production cycle requirements

Tooling Validation & Qualification

• Develop and execute formal assembly tooling validation plans, including dimensional verification, fit checks, assembly runoff studies, and repeatability assessments prior to production release

• Define and document acceptance criteria for new and modified assembly tooling; generate tooling qualification reports summarizing validation results and production readiness disposition

• Collaborate with quality engineering to ensure assembly fixtures and gauging solutions are metrologically sound and support traceability to inspection and assembly requirements

• Perform or support first article build events using new tooling to verify that fixtures achieve intended assembly outcomes before full production release

• Identify and resolve assembly tooling nonconformances, wear patterns, or repeatability issues encountered during production; implement corrective actions and document lessons learned

GD&T & Drawing Review

• Review engineering drawings and 3D models for GD&T compliance per ASME Y14.5, with particular emphasis on datum selection, feature control frame applicability, and tolerancing strategies as they relate to assembly fixture design and build process requirements

• Advise design engineers on datum structure and tolerancing strategies that support practical, cost-effective assembly fixture and gauging solutions, and ensure that critical assembly interfaces are toleranced to achieve functional fit and performance requirements

• Identify drawing ambiguities, tolerance conflicts, or features that create undue assembly tooling complexity or build variation risk; initiate formal drawing change requests in collaboration with design engineering

• Apply tolerance stack-up analysis (1D/2D/3D) to validate fixture locating schemes, critical assembly interfaces, and predict assembly process capability prior to tooling fabrication

• Ensure that assembly-level drawings and interface control documents clearly and unambiguously define the requirements necessary to guide tooling design and build process planning

Design for Assembly (DFA)

• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, production readiness reviews) as the assembly tooling and build process subject matter expert, providing early input on assembly sequences, interface features, and tolerances that drive tooling complexity, operator ergonomics, or build risk

• Review engineering drawings and 3D models for assembly feasibility, providing formal DFA feedback to design engineering teams focused on accessibility, clearance, assembly sequence logic, and interface features that drive tooling complexity or build risk

• Recommend design modifications, feature simplifications, or interface geometry changes that reduce assembly tooling cost, improve build repeatability, and reduce the risk of assembly errors

• Provide make/buy recommendations for assembly tooling fabrication based on internal capability, lead time, and cost considerations

Assembly Process Development

• Develop and maintain assembly process plans, work instructions, and traveler sequences that incorporate tooling and fixture usage at each build step, ensuring clear, repeatable operator guidance

• Collaborate with assembly technicians and production leads during new tooling introduction to validate ease of use, ergonomics, and build sequence alignment

• Apply Lean manufacturing principles to identify and eliminate sources of tooling-driven assembly variation, build time, and production downtime

• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, operations, and design teams to resolve assembly tooling-related production issues and support continuous improvement initiatives

Tooling Lifecycle Management

• Establish and maintain an assembly tooling and fixture inventory system, including configuration control, calibration schedules, preventive maintenance plans, and end-of-life disposition criteria

• Develop and maintain tooling-related setup sheets, usage instructions, and traveler notes to ensure consistent and correct use of assembly fixtures across production shifts

• Drive continuous improvement of the assembly tooling portfolio by identifying opportunities to consolidate, modernize, or retire tooling based on production feedback and evolving build requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or tooling engineering in an aerospace, defense, or high-precision assembly environment

• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading the design and development of assembly fixtures, build aids, handling fixtures, and installation tools for complex precision mechanical assemblies

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing assembly tooling validation plans, including fit checks, assembly runoff studies, repeatability assessments, and formal qualification documentation

• Proficiency in GD&T per ASME Y14.5; ability to independently interpret and apply geometric tolerancing schemes to assembly fixture design, drawing review, and build process planning

• Demonstrated experience performing tolerance stack-up analysis (1D/2D/3D) as applied to assembly interface validation and fixture locating scheme development

• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (CREO/Pro-E, SolidWorks, or equivalent) for detailed fixture design and drawing package generation

• Familiarity with precision mechanical assembly processes including press fitting, bearing installation, fastener torque control, adhesive bonding, and subassembly integration as they relate to fixture and tooling requirements

• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to present assembly tooling design and validation findings to cross-functional technical audiences

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum (as required by export control regulations)

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with the full lifecycle of assembly fixture design, validation, and production implementation for aerospace mechanism or motion control product manufacturing, including build fixtures, assembly aids, and handling fixtures

• Experience designing and validating assembly tooling for high-volume or automated production lines, including integration with robotic assembly systems, automated fastening equipment, or automated handling solutions

• Experience with Gauge R&R studies and measurement system analysis (MSA) as applied to assembly fixtures and in-process gauging

• Knowledge of tolerance stack-up analysis methods (1D/2D/3D) with demonstrated application to assembly fixture locating scheme validation and build process capability prediction

• Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems such as AS9100 and NADCAP, including assembly tooling qualification and first article inspection (FAI) requirements per AS9102

• Experience with ERP/MES systems for tooling configuration control, traveler management, and nonconformance tracking, including IFS, SAP, Oracle, Deltek Costpoint, Solumina (iBASEt), Apriso, or equivalent platforms

• Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) and ASME Y14.41 standards as applied to assembly tooling and fixture design packages

• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $102,721.00 - $143,809.05

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, 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 View email address on aiapply.co. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.