Supplier Development Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN • Huntsville, AL

4d • $112,059 - $156,883 • Onsite

About The Position

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! 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. As a Supplier Development Engineer at Blue Origin, you will build and execute the technical programs that transform our supply base from reactive to ready. Working directly with suppliers, you will lead qualification activities across Blue Origin's four-gate pathway — from initial capability survey through first article approval and rate readiness — initiating qualifications ahead of demand so that schedule risk never begins at the supplier. You will design and run development programs with our most critical suppliers, including design-to-manufacture workshops and yield and capacity improvement initiatives — driving measurable improvements in quality, delivery, and technical maturity. This is a field-forward role: you will be on-site with suppliers regularly, owning the qualification outcome. This position will have a direct impact on the history of space exploration, requiring your unwavering commitment to safe and repeatable spaceflight. Blue Origin's production ambitions depend on a supply base that is qualified, capable, and continuously improving — and this role is at the center of building that foundation from scratch. By standing up Blue Origin's first dedicated Supplier Development and Qualification function, you will help realize our vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, supplier-facing leadership, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Requirements

• B.S. degree or higher in an Engineering or field
• 4+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or a related cross-functional role with direct supplier-facing accountability
• Experience planning and executing supplier audits or manufacturing readiness assessments
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how process maturity affects quality, delivery, and cost outcomes
• Experience working across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Program teams
• Ability to travel regularly to supplier facilities
• Excellent communication skills — ability to set clear expectations with suppliers, drive accountability, and translate technical performance requirements across organizational boundaries
• 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

• Experience in aerospace, space systems, defense, advanced manufacturing, or another high-complexity regulated industry
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102 or equivalent standard
• Familiarity with AS9100 or AS9120 quality management system requirements
• Experience designing or executing supplier development programs, including DtM workshops, capacity planning, and yield improvement initiatives
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, or similar process improvement training or experience
• Experience with supplier tiering models, quarterly business reviews, or executive business reviews
• Familiarity with rate readiness assessments, production readiness reviews, or supplier ramp planning
• Experience supporting international supply base development or global supplier engagement

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification activities through Blue Origin's four-gate pathway (Capability Survey, On-Site Audit, First Article Inspection, Rate Readiness) — initiating qualifications proactively ahead of program demand
• Conduct on-site supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing process maturity, quality systems, capacity, and readiness to meet Blue Origin's performance requirements
• Own and maintain complete qualification files for assigned suppliers and commodities, from initial assessment through first article approval and into production
• Drive supplier development programs with Strategic and Preferred tier suppliers, including design-to-manufacture workshops and capacity investment planning
• Partner with Supplier Quality during the qualification process to assess supplier QMS capability and quality system maturity — establishing a clear quality baseline before suppliers enter the approved supply base
• Maintain the enterprise qualification library to enable cross-program reuse of qualification data, reducing redundant efforts across Blue Origin's business units
• Support international supply base development by applying consistent qualification and development standards to global suppliers
• Contribute to Blue Origin's annual and quarterly supplier conference programs to align on performance expectations, development roadmaps, and strategic partnerships
• Build and maintain qualification and capability data in systems of record to support supply base visibility, sourcing decisions, and future-state automation

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level