Process Development Engineer II

BLUE ORIGIN•Seattle, WA

1d•$91,852 - $128,592

About The Position

This entry-level role within Blue Origin Operations helps design, develop, prototype, and qualify automated manufacturing processes for launch vehicle hardware. The engineer will build industrial robot-based process-qualification cells, conduct Design of Experiments on production alloys, support first-article proofs, and transition qualified processes into production. The role works alongside senior process development engineers and collaborates with design, controls/software, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations teams. The position supports manufacturing processes including welding, inspection, machining, and additive manufacturing for launch vehicle structures, propulsion, and integration systems. It involves commissioning automated cells and developing the requirements, specifications, reports, qualification packages, and work instructions needed to establish production-ready processes. The engineer also investigates process and inspection failures and implements corrective actions while following applicable safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree plus 0–2 years of experience in process development, process qualification, manufacturing engineering, CNC machining, or automation/robotics; internships, co-ops, and relevant academic or project work count.
Hands-on build experience from a lab, shop, maker space, competition team, research project, or internship.
Proficiency in 3D CAD, such as CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
Foundational knowledge of manufacturing processes such as welding, non-destructive inspection, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and assembly.
Foundational knowledge of at least one alloy family (aluminum, titanium, nickel, or stainless steel) and how its properties affect process selection.
Foundational understanding of Design of Experiments, statistical analysis, and process capability (Cp/Cpk).
Exposure to industrial automation, robotics, or CNC machining through coursework, projects, or internships.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and industry standards.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Must meet U.S. export-control eligibility: U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Nice To Haves

Internship or co-op experience in process development, process qualification, or manufacturing.
Hands-on shop or lab experience with welding (TIG, MIG, or laser), CNC machining, brazing, soldering, non-destructive inspection, coatings, or heat treatment.
Coursework or project experience in welding metallurgy, metals (aluminum, titanium, steel, or nickel), composites, or materials characterization.
Exposure to non-destructive inspection methods such as eddy current, ultrasonic, PAUT, or radiography.
Experience with Design of Experiments and statistics tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, or R.
CNC machining experience with 3-axis-or-greater mills or lathes, including operating, setup, programming, G-code, CAM, fixturing, or workholding design.
CAM experience with Mastercam, Fusion 360 CAM, NX CAM, or HSMWorks.
Robotics coursework or project experience, such as autonomous vehicles, capstone teams, or research labs.
Exposure to robot programming platforms such as FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots, ABB, or ROS.
Machine vision or sensor integration experience, including Cognex, Keyence, or OpenCV.
Industrial controls experience with PLCs, HMIs, or communication protocols such as EtherCAT, Profinet, or EtherNet/IP.
Programming experience in Python, C++, MATLAB, G-code, or PLC ladder logic.
Maker experience such as hobby robotics, FSAE/Formula Hybrid, autonomous vehicle competitions, drone builds, rocketry clubs, restoration work, or home-shop projects.
Published or presented work, such as undergraduate research, capstone work, conference posters, or open-source contributions.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, prototype, and qualify automated manufacturing processes, including welding, inspection, machining, and additive manufacturing, for launch vehicle structures, propulsion, and integration systems.
Design and execute Design of Experiments on production alloys to characterize capability, define operating windows, and establish production parameters.
Drive first-article proofs and low-rate initial production runs; author qualification packages to applicable industry standards, including AWS/ASME for welding and ASTM/AMS for non-destructive testing.
Build and commission automated cells, including weld robots, inspection robots, robot-tended CNC cells, and laser cells.
Design or specify end-effectors, fixturing, and workholding; program robot and CNC motion; integrate machine vision and force sensing.
Author requirements documents, process specifications, Design of Experiments reports, qualification packages, and work instructions.
Collaborate with design, controls/software, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and operations teams; represent automation and process perspectives at Design Gated Reviews.
Investigate weld acceptance, inspection, or scanning failures and drive corrective action in process windows, fixtures, or acceptance criteria.
Follow and enforce safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

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, potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions or company results; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.