Manager - Manufacturing Engineering & Technology

Blue Origin•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

Blue Origin is hiring a Manager of Manufacturing Engineering to lead a team of manufacturing engineers who translate engineering intent into flight-ready hardware. The role sets manufacturing strategy, advances manufacturing processes, and connects engineering design, operations, and program leadership. It combines technical leadership, team development, and operational execution in support of safe, repeatable, and lower-cost access to space. The manager is accountable for manufacturing performance across the hardware lifecycle, including cost, quality, build sequence, and schedule. The role oversees work instructions, drawing reviews and manufacturing approvals, process controls, custom manufacturing equipment, and material handling. It also leads structured root cause analysis, continuous improvement, schedule recovery, and disposition pathways for non-conforming hardware, maintaining traceability and configuration pedigree. The position works closely with design engineering, program management, quality, operations, supply chain, procurement, and external suppliers. Applicants must meet Blue Origin’s stated U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, refugee, or asylum status requirement. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited university.
At least 8 years of progressive manufacturing and manufacturing engineering experience after graduation.
At least 2 years of direct people management or formal technical leadership experience, including performance management and career development responsibilities.
Track record of developing and implementing new manufacturing processes from concept through production.
Broad hands-on experience with hardware manufacturing processes, including fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, inspection, and testing.
Experience leading RCA investigations and deploying corrective actions that produced measurable, sustained quality improvements.
Experience developing and executing schedule recovery plans in a hardware development or production environment.
Experience developing non-conforming hardware disposition pathways, including rework, repair, and engineering disposition processes.
Ability to manage competing cost, quality, and schedule priorities in a fast-paced hardware development environment.
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to earn trust, build positive professional relationships, and contribute to an inclusive culture.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Experience in rocket engine, propulsion system, or aerospace vehicle hardware manufacturing.
Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams through a development-to-production transition.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems or equivalent aerospace quality frameworks.
Experience with ERP/MES platforms such as SAP, Solumina, or equivalent.
Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma; Green Belt or Black Belt certification is a plus.
Formal training or certification in structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, DMAIC, or Shainin.
Experience managing supplier relationships and conducting supplier development activities.
Prior exposure to New Product Introduction (NPI) processes and manufacturing readiness level (MRL) assessments.

Responsibilities

Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain manufacturing engineers across experience levels; set expectations, coach, provide feedback, conduct performance reviews, and plan team capacity and staffing.
Build a psychologically safe, inclusive, high-accountability team culture; identify skills gaps and create training and development plans.
Define and own manufacturing engineering strategy for the product area, aligned with program and company objectives.
Identify, develop, and deploy advanced rocket manufacturing processes to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequences and schedules.
Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFMA) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), maintaining feedback between design, build, and test.
Develop a manufacturing process maturation roadmap from development through production; contribute manufacturing engineering input to make-versus-buy and supply chain decisions.
Manage cost, quality, build sequence, and schedule performance throughout the hardware manufacturing lifecycle.
Oversee and improve work instructions for receiving inspection, fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and refurbishment; ensure drawing reviews and manufacturing approvals receive appropriate technical oversight.
Govern process controls and drive their evaluation and improvement through statistical analysis.
Oversee design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of custom manufacturing equipment; direct material handling and packaging standards.
Establish a consistent root cause analysis (RCA) program and lead investigations into significant non-conformances, production escapes, and systemic quality issues, translating findings into corrective and preventive actions.
Own a continuous improvement program using Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven methods; define project scope, owners, metrics, and milestones, and communicate progress to leadership.
Identify improvement priorities using KPI trends, PFMEA reviews, process audits, and floor observation.
Lead schedule recovery planning and execution when programs are delayed by non-conformances, process failures, equipment issues, or supplier delays; define critical-path actions, resource changes, and accelerated build sequences, and communicate status and risks.
Develop hardware recovery pathways for non-conforming parts and assemblies, including disposition workflows, approved repair and rework procedures, engineering dispositions, traceability, configuration pedigree, and analysis of recurring issues.
Serve as the primary manufacturing engineering contact for design teams, program management, quality, and operations leadership.
Partner with supply chain, procurement, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to ensure hardware and equipment meet specifications, delivery schedules, and budget.
Represent manufacturing engineering in design, program, and gate reviews; oversee hardware configuration and maintain pedigree throughout build and test.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
Education Support Program.
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
Paid time off of up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours.
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Depending on role type and job level, possible benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and company results; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.