Materials & Processes Engineer III — Generalist and Contamination Control

BLUE ORIGIN•Seattle, WA

3d•$121,023 - $169,432

About The Position

This role is part of Blue Origin’s Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Moon landers and related products. The engineer will oversee and execute contamination control throughout the product lifecycle, from design through manufacturing and processing, helping ensure spacecraft requirements are met. The position supports safe, repeatable spaceflight and sustainable transportation of crew and cargo between Earth and the lunar surface. The role covers contamination control for space systems, fluid systems, precision mechanisms, propulsion hardware, and other sensitive flight hardware. It includes developing and maintaining cleanliness requirements, verification methods, controlled-environment practices, technical documentation, and compliance evidence. The engineer also works with program teams, customers, suppliers, technicians, and manufacturing engineers, and contributes materials and processes expertise at program reviews and during investigations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of Materials & Processes engineering experience, with demonstrated focus on contamination control in aerospace, defense, or precision spaceflight hardware environments.
U.S. citizenship is required because the position is subject to ITAR and U.S. Government contract requirements.
Working knowledge of IEST-STD-CC1246, MIL-STD-1246, ASTM E595, ISO 14644, and the NASA-STD-5300 series or equivalent DoD/government cleanliness standards.
Hands-on experience with cleanliness verification techniques, including particle counting, NVR analysis, gravimetric testing, witness coupons, and optical inspection.
Experience writing technical specifications, engineering instructions, and compliance documentation to government program standards.
Familiarity with precision cleaning methods for metallic and non-metallic aerospace hardware.
Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience with liquid propellant rocket engine cleanliness and propulsion fluid system contamination control, including LOX, LH2, RP-1, hydrazine, and pressurants.
Materials and Processes generalist familiarity in EEE, cable and harness, or metallics and coatings.
Background in spacecraft integration and test contamination-control environments.
Experience interfacing directly with government program offices such as USSF, NRO, MDA, or NASA MSFC on materials and processes and contamination compliance.
Knowledge of AS9100D quality management systems and quality data packages.
Experience with Windchill, SAP, or equivalent PLM/ERP configuration management systems.
Working knowledge of NDE/NDT methods relevant to surface-cleanliness verification.
Six Sigma experience or similar continuous-improvement certification.

Responsibilities

Support materials selection and qualification, considering particle generation, outgassing, and chemical compatibility for space and propulsion environments.
Maintain and continuously improve cleanroom, controlled-work-environment, and precision-cleaning protocols for manufacturing, assembly, and integration.
Develop, implement, and maintain Contamination Control Plans for space systems, fluid systems, and precision mechanisms in accordance with applicable government and industry standards.
Establish cleanliness-level requirements and verification approaches for turbomachinery, fluid systems, optical payloads, mechanical assemblies, and sensitive flight hardware.
Plan and execute cleanliness verification, including liquid and airborne particle-count analysis, NVR gravimetric and chemical analysis, witness coupon and fluid sample processing, and optical and visual inspections.
Review and approve engineering drawings, assembly procedures, and work instructions for contamination-control compliance.
Lead and participate in anomaly investigations and formal failure analyses involving contamination events; generate, track, and close corrective and preventive actions.
Author and maintain engineering specifications, standards, and process documents governing contamination control.
Provide materials and processes and contamination-control input at formal program design reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings.
Interface with government customers, program offices, and prime contractors regarding contamination-control requirements, compliance status, and data deliverables.
Support supplier audits and surveys to assess vendor compliance with contamination-control requirements.
Assess material and fluid compatibility for propulsion systems using LOX, LH2, RP-1, hydrazine, and high-pressure pressurants.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to production technicians and manufacturing engineers.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
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
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions or company results; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.