Lead Manufacturing Engineer

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. Senior Manufacturing Engineer – BE-7 & Blue Thrusters Location: Huntsville, AL | Shift: A Shift, Monday–Friday | Level: Engineer – Manufacturing Sr (L4) About the Role Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to serve as the Manufacturing Engineering Subject Matter Expert across two of our most critical propulsion programs: BE-7 and Blue Thrusters. This is a high-visibility, high-impact staff role reporting directly to the Director of Operations. BE-7 is entering qualification with production on the near horizon. Blue Thrusters encompasses multiple thruster variants currently in research and development, all requiring rapid transition to production. This person will be the connective tissue across both programs — setting the manufacturing standard, driving speed and decisiveness, and building the ME capability of the entire team. This is not a role for someone who optimizes things that shouldn't exist. We need someone who can identify waste at its root, eliminate it, and teach others to do the same. Key Responsibilities Cross-Program ME Leadership Serve as the Manufacturing Engineering SME across BE-7 and Blue Thrusters value streams, splitting time equally between both programs Establish and enforce manufacturing best practices across all ME value streams; mentor and guide MEs at all levels to raise the technical floor of the entire organization Drive a culture of speed, decisiveness, and first-principles thinking — challenge MEs to eliminate processes that shouldn't exist before optimizing the ones that should Represent Manufacturing Engineering in high-visibility program forums, design reviews, and leadership readouts Serve as the technical escalation point for complex manufacturing problems across both programs; break down ambiguous failures to their root physical and materials-level causes Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFx) Provide assertive, data-backed DFM feedback to design engineers — including those resistant to change — and drive producibility improvements that reduce cost, cycle time, and rework Engage early in the design lifecycle to influence hardware before it becomes expensive to change Lead DFM/DFA reviews across both programs and drive outcomes into actionable engineering change requests Apply first-principles and materials science knowledge to evaluate design decisions at the physics level, not just the process level Production Readiness & NPI Lead manufacturing readiness activities for BE-7 qualification and the transition to production Develop and execute NPI strategies for Blue Thrusters variants, building scalable manufacturing processes from the ground up Architect production systems capable of supporting medium-rate production (1,000+ units/year) Automation Strategy & Implementation Lead the identification, strategy development, and implementation of manufacturing automation across both programs Drive automation stand-up from concept through commissioning — whether executing directly or overseeing implementation through others Develop and deploy AI-assisted manufacturing tools including but not limited to vision-based inspection systems, predictive quality analytics, and process optimization algorithms Leverage AI productivity tools to accelerate engineering analysis, troubleshooting, and documentation workflows across the ME team Build the team's capability and comfort with AI-enabled engineering — this person leads by example Technical Foundation & Process Ownership Draw on direct prior experience authoring work instructions, managing manufacturing BOMs, and developing process documentation — applying that foundation to review, approve, and elevate the work of others rather than executing it day-to-day Establish process controls, quality gates, and inspection plans that scale with production rate increases Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for non-conformances; conduct FMEAs and drive lessons learned back into the design and process baseline Minimum Qualifications Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or Materials Science Engineering from an accredited university — this role requires deep hardware and materials fluency; process or systems-focused backgrounds alone will not be sufficient 8+ years of direct manufacturing engineering experience in a production or development-to-production environment 5+ years of experience authoring work instructions and managing manufacturing BOMs for complex hardware — this is a foundation, not a day-to-day expectation of the role Demonstrated hands-on experience manufacturing propulsion or aerospace hardware — you must know how to build the hardware, not just document it Proven ability to deliver assertive DFM feedback to design engineers and drive design changes in a cross-functional environment Demonstrated ability to break down complex manufacturing failures to first-principles and materials-level root causes Experience across multiple manufacturing domains including at minimum: precision assembly, welding, machining, and fluid/propulsion systems Experience supporting or leading NPI and transition-to-production efforts Experience leading or executing the stand-up of an automated manufacturing line or cell Demonstrated ability to mentor and elevate the technical capability of other engineers Preferred Qualifications Materials science background or demonstrated ability to apply materials-level thinking to manufacturing process development and failure analysis Experience developing or deploying AI-assisted manufacturing tools (vision inspection, predictive quality, process optimization) Experience using AI productivity tools to accelerate engineering workflows and building that capability in others Experience with turbomachinery assembly and integration Experience with brazing processes for aerospace applications Experience with cryogenic valve acceptance testing Experience machining additively manufactured parts (post-processing, fixturing, tolerance management) Background in rocket engine or propulsion system manufacturing (liquid, electric, or cold gas thrusters) Experience at a high-velocity aerospace manufacturer where speed, decisiveness, and elimination of waste are cultural norms Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) Proficiency in CAD software (Creo or CATIA preferred) and PLM/MRP systems (Windchill, Teamcenter, or equivalent) Who You Are You've built hardware. You've stood on the floor next to technicians and solved problems in real time. You've walked into a design review, seen something that can't be built the way it's drawn, and said so — clearly, respectfully, and with the physics to back it up. When something goes wrong, you don't stop at "the weld failed." You ask why the weld failed, why the material behaved that way, and what in the design or process allowed that condition to exist in the first place. You think in first principles, not just best practices. You don't wait to be told what to improve. You find it. You fix it. And then you teach the team how to find it themselves next time — including when the answer is to stop doing something entirely rather than doing it better. You've implemented automation, not just recommended it. You understand what it takes to go from concept to a running line, and you know where the bodies are buried in that process. You're comfortable with AI as a tool — not as a buzzword — and you're already using it to work faster and smarter. You'll bring that capability to the team and raise the floor for everyone around you. You thrive in ambiguity, move fast without cutting corners on quality, and you understand that the best process is often the one you eliminate entirely. Physical Requirements Ability to work on the production floor, climb stairs, work in confined spaces, and lift and carry up to 40 lbs Comfortable working in environments with loud noise, crane lifts, and other standard manufacturing hazards 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 Affiantative 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 click.appcast.io. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request. #J-18808-Ljbffr