Sr. CNC Machinist & Programmer

BLUE ORIGIN•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

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. Operations include 5-axis milling, CNC turning, grinding, and EDM on nickel superalloys, stainless steels, and specialty alloys. As an early hire, the machinist will provide machinability feedback to design engineering, influence tolerancing and feature geometry before designs freeze, and help evaluate and select CNC machines for the long-term production equipment plan. This is a development environment in which the machinist will help shape the machining strategy from the ground up. The role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which includes Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance, and supports manufacturing and supply chain across Blue Origin facilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; an associate degree in machining technology or equivalent technical training is preferred.
15+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience in an aerospace environment.
7+ years of experience working with multi-axis lathes and high-speed 5-axis mills producing complex parts with tight tolerances.
7+ years of experience machining hardened metals, including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, and high-temperature superalloys.
Extensive experience with CNC controls, including Mazak, Okuma, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Siemens, or equivalent platforms.
Excellent blueprint-reading skills, including GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures.
CAM software experience, preferably Siemens NX.
Proficiency with precision measurement instruments, including micrometers, bore gauges, indicators, CMM operation, and surface profilometers.
Ability to work effectively with close attention to detail in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment with rapidly changing roles and responsibilities.
A continuous-improvement mindset.
Strong customer focus and verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work cooperatively with teams of multiple skills across large geographic distances.
Exceptional organizational and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight.
Applicants 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.
Required background check: Blue’s Standard Background Check.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Set up and operate multi-axis CNC milling machines, from 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 to design engineering 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, including CMMs, micrometers, bore gauges, and surface profilometers, and make offset adjustments to maintain tolerance.
Support post-processing of additively manufactured parts, including finish machining AM-printed components to final dimensions.
Maintain tooling inventories, manage tool life, 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.

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
Paid time off: up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on role type, job level, and other factors