Build Engineer III

Application close date:

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 part of a hands-on team of engineers, technicians, and fabricators, you will build, integrate, and commission the automated process cells, prototypes, and custom equipment used to develop and qualify manufacturing processes for rocket hardware. Working directly with design, process development, inspection, controls, and software engineers, you will turn concepts into working systems: contributing to cell and fixture design, assembling and wiring cells, programming robots and PLCs, integrating sensors and process equipment, and running the prototype and qualification builds that prove a process before it moves to production. You will also plan and drive each build, including schedules, budgets, supply chain coordination, facility integration, and vendor support. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality, to positively impact the development of rocket hardware and safe human spaceflight.

Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Build, integrate, and commission automated process cells, prototypes, and custom equipment for welding, inspection, machining, and additive process development, including mechanical assembly, wiring, pneumatics, and sensor and process-equipment installation.
• Program and commission cell controls, including industrial robots and cobots, PLCs and HMIs, motion, machine vision, and process sensors. Develop and debug the control logic that runs each cell.
• Contribute to cell and equipment design with design engineering. Design and modify prototype fixtures, end-effectors, and brackets, and provide build and integration feedback early in the design.
• Work directly with design engineering and fabrication teams to understand deliverables and provide real-time problem solving during build.
• Run process qualification builds with process development and inspection engineers, including Design of Experiments, coupons, first articles, and capability studies. Capture the process data and records that qualification requires.
• Plan and facilitate build and integration activities with adjacent support groups including Production Operations, Supply Chain, Facilities, EHS, Quality, integrators, robot OEMs, and outside vendors.
• Provide technical support with regard to cell functional, process, and safety requirements through build, integration, commissioning, and transition to production. Verify safeguarding, interlocks, and safety functions before a cell runs.
• Troubleshoot cells and prototypes, identify root cause, and drive corrective action into hardware, controls, and process.
• Work with and guide technicians through build, debug, and sustainment activities.
• Capable of supporting multiple projects in a fast-paced environment; projects will vary in size and scale.
• Close collaboration with process development, inspection, controls, software, and manufacturing engineers to achieve the best possible metrics (safety, cost, quality, delivery, reliability, and uptime).
• Establish, implement, and adhere to schedules and budgets to ensure project completion.
• Facilitate effective and collaborative communication by fostering creativity and using team member strengths.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Robotics, or Controls Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience building, integrating, or commissioning automated equipment, robotic cells, or custom machines.
• Hands-on understanding of automation build and integration methods including mechanical assembly, electrical wiring and panel integration, pneumatics, sensor and actuator integration, lifting and rigging, and commissioning.
• Hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial robots (FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Universal Robots, or similar) and PLC and HMI systems (Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar).
• Experience supporting process development or qualification on automated equipment, such as Design of Experiments, first-article builds, or capability studies, in welding, inspection, machining, or additive processes.
• Ability to manage multi-discipline projects, schedules, and system-level integrations.
• Experience using CAD software (Creo, CATIA, and/or NX) for model manipulation, drawing access, measurement, and design of fixtures and brackets.
• Ability to interpret and apply sound design and drafting standards (ASME Y14.5) and to read electrical schematics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong expertise in rapid prototyping, design for manufacturability (DFM), and design for assembly (DFA).
• Proven understanding of common manufacturing materials, GD&T, and tolerance and stack-up analysis.
• Familiarity with industry standards, such as ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, ISO 13849, NFPA 79, AWS D17.1, and ASME BTH-1.
• Experience with custom machine design and installation, including motors, actuators, linear rails and actuators, pneumatics, hydraulics, and bearings.
• Experience building or running automated welding cells (laser, laser hybrid, friction stir, or arc) or automated inspection systems (robot- or gantry-mounted ultrasonic or eddy current).
• Experience with machine vision, force-torque sensing, seam tracking, or offline robot programming and simulation (RoboDK, Process Simulate, or similar).
• PLC programming in Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or Beckhoff TwinCAT, and control-panel electrical design (EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar).
• Programming in Python or similar for test automation and data capture.
• Experience with Windchill and/or Teamcenter PLM software.
• Hands-on build experience outside of work, such as robotics, CNC or machine builds, competition teams, motorsports, or restoration.

Base Pay Range for:

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.