CNC Machinist II

BLUE ORIGIN•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

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. This role is a foundational member of the machining team for a new advanced hardware program at Blue Origin. The successful candidate will set up, operate, and optimize multi-axis CNC equipment to produce high-precision components for rotating machinery, heat exchangers, and structural assemblies, including 5-axis milling, CNC turning, grinding, and EDM operations on nickel superalloys, stainless steels, and specialty alloys. As an early hire, this machinist will go beyond running parts. They will provide direct machinability feedback to the design engineering team, influence tolerancing and feature geometry before designs freeze, and help evaluate and select the CNC machines that form the long-term production equipment plan. This is a development environment where the right candidate will shape the machining strategy from the ground up.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
5+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience in an aerospace environment
2+ years of experience working with multi-axis lathes and 5-axis mills producing complex parts to tight tolerances
2+ years of experience machining hardened metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, and high-temperature superalloys
Experience with CNC controls such as Mazak, Okuma, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Siemens, or equivalent platforms
Strong blueprint reading skills, including GD&T per ASME Y14.5; ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures
CAM software experience, preferably Siemens NX
Proficiency with precision measurement instruments (micrometers, bore gauges, indicators, CMM, surface profilometers)
Close attention to detail in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment with changing priorities
A continuous improvement mindset
Strong verbal and written communication skills and a customer-focused approach
Ability to work cooperatively with cross-functional teams across geographic distances
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to drive projects with minimal oversight

Nice To Haves

Experience with turbomachinery components made from nickel-based alloys, stainless steel, copper, or titanium
Associate degree in machining technology or equivalent technical training
Tooling and fixture design experience, with the ability to concept and specify work holding for complex geometries
Experience operating heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and forklifts around flight-critical hardware
Outside processing knowledge (heat treat, plating, coating, EDM, grinding, etc.)
Experience with post-processing of additively manufactured parts
Experience with 5-axis simultaneous machining (DMG Mori, Hermle, Mikron, or similar)
Experience evaluating and selecting CNC machine tools for production, including vendor assessment, capability studies, and factory acceptance testing
Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems

Responsibilities

Set up and operate multi-axis CNC milling machines (3-axis through 5-axis) to produce precision components per engineering drawings and process plans
Set up and operate CNC lathes and turning centers for precision shaft, housing, and case machining
Interpret engineering drawings with complex GD&T requirements and plan machining sequences to achieve specified tolerances
Provide machinability feedback directly to design engineering, advising on tolerancing, feature accessibility, fixturing constraints, and material selection to improve producibility before designs freeze
Evaluate and recommend CNC machines for the long-term production equipment plan, assessing machine tool capability, work envelope, accuracy, and throughput against program requirements
Perform first-article machining for new part numbers, optimizing feeds, speeds, tool paths, and fixturing for challenging materials and geometries
Perform in-process measurement using precision instruments (CMM, micrometers, bore gauges, surface profilometers) and make offset adjustments to maintain tolerance
Support post-processing of additively manufactured parts, including finish machining of AM components to final dimensions
Maintain tooling inventories, perform tool life management, and recommend tool selection for new applications
Document machining results, tool life data, and process parameters for production knowledge capture
Support process qualification and capability studies (Cp/Cpk) for critical dimensions
Maintain equipment through basic preventive maintenance and identify issues requiring maintenance support