CNC Machining Manufacturing Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN • Huntsville, AL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This role supports the development and qualification of CNC machining processes for a new advanced hardware program at Blue Origin. The successful candidate will own machining process engineering across the full range of program hardware — from precision multi-axis milling and turning of nickel superalloy turbomachinery components to finish machining of additively manufactured parts. This role requires deep CNC process engineering expertise: developing machining strategies and CAM programming approaches, optimizing toolpaths and cutting parameters for difficult-to-machine aerospace alloys, qualifying machining processes, and providing real-time engineering support during first-article and production runs. The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals with hands-on machining knowledge — someone who can define the process from CAM strategy through first-part-off and drive it to capable, repeatable production. This is an environment where the CNC process engineer will help select production equipment, stand up machining work cells, and build the machining operation from the ground up.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in CNC machining process engineering, manufacturing engineering with a machining focus, or CNC applications engineering
• Direct experience developing machining processes for aerospace or precision hardware in nickel-based superalloys (Inconel, Haynes, Waspaloy), stainless steels, and/or titanium
• Proficiency with CAM software — able to define programming strategies and review toolpaths even if not the primary programmer
• Strong understanding of multi-axis CNC milling (3- through 5-axis simultaneous) and CNC turning/mill-turn operations
• Experience with process qualification — first-article inspection, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and establishing repeatable, capable machining processes
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings with complex GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and translate them into machining process plans
• Strong understanding of cutting tool technology — tool materials, coatings, insert geometries, and tool life management for difficult-to-machine alloys
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Nice To Haves

• Experience with finish machining of additively manufactured (AM) components — datum strategy, fixturing near-net shapes, and stock-on-condition assessment for DMLS/SLM parts
• Background in turbomachinery component machining or similar rotating hardware with tight tolerances and complex geometries
• Experience evaluating and selecting CNC machine tools for production — vendor assessment, capability studies, and factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Experience with high-speed machining (HSM) strategies and adaptive toolpath techniques for superalloy roughing
• Experience with in-process probing, on-machine measurement, and adaptive machining techniques
• Fixture design experience — specifying or designing workholding for thin-wall, distortion-sensitive aerospace components
• Experience standing up machining operations in a greenfield facility — work cell layout, chip management, coolant systems, and machine installation coordination
• Familiarity with AS9100 or equivalent quality management systems
• Lean/Six Sigma certification or equivalent
• Customer focused with a proven track record to work cooperatively with teams of different skills across large geographic distances
• Strong organizational and analytical skills

Responsibilities

• Developing CNC machining process plans for complex aerospace components — defining operation sequences, machine assignments, fixturing concepts, tooling selections, and cutting parameters for multi-axis milling, turning, and grinding operations
• Defining CAM programming strategies and standards — selecting toolpath approaches, establishing programming templates, and working with CAM programmers to optimize cycle time, surface finish, and tool life on nickel superalloys, stainless steels, titanium, and other difficult-to-machine materials
• Qualifying machining processes through first-article builds, process capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and statistical process control (SPC) implementation for critical dimensions and surface integrity requirements
• Developing machining processes for finish machining of additively manufactured (AM) components — including datum strategy, stock-on-condition assessment, fixturing of near-net shapes, and post-processing to final drawing dimensions on DMLS/SLM-printed parts
• Providing Design for Machinability (DFM) feedback to design engineering — influencing tolerances, feature geometry, surface finish callouts, material selection, and datum schemes to optimize producibility before designs freeze
• Evaluating, selecting, and specifying CNC machine tools — multi-axis mills, turning centers, mill-turns, grinders, and EDM equipment — including vendor assessment, capability studies, and factory acceptance testing (FAT) to build the long-term production equipment plan
• Developing and maintaining machining work instructions, setup sheets, and tool lists that enable repeatable execution by CNC machinists across all shifts
• Providing shipside/lineside machining engineering support during first-article and production runs — monitoring process performance, troubleshooting tool wear and chatter issues, adjusting parameters in real time, and making offset decisions
• Leading machining-related nonconformance investigations — performing root cause analysis on dimensional exceedances, surface finish failures, tool breakage incidents, and metallurgical damage (e.g., grinding burn, white layer), developing corrective actions and process improvements
• Defining tooling strategies — selecting cutting tools, defining tool life management programs, evaluating coatings and insert geometries for superalloy machining, and managing relationships with cutting tool vendors
• Specifying and developing fixturing and workholding solutions for complex part geometries — including hydraulic, vacuum, and custom fixture design concepts for thin-wall and distortion-sensitive components
• Supporting automation initiatives — collaborating with automation engineers on automated tool measurement, in-process probing, adaptive machining, and lights-out operation strategies

Benefits

• 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%
• Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior