Senior Automation Project Engineer

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

About Blue Origin

About This Role

Blue Origin's Factory Automation team is part of the Advanced Manufacturing organization within Operations - serving as the in-house automation integrator responsible for designing, building, and deploying the custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production across Blue Origin's manufacturing business units. We build manufacturing capability from the ground up, developing automated solutions that directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin's products across current and future programs.

We are looking for an experienced Project Engineer who brings a foundation of hands-on technical experience in mechanical and/or controls engineering for industrial automation - coupled with the leadership experience to drive complex projects from requirements through delivered, production-ready systems. This is not a conceptual or R&D role: the right candidate has real, demonstrated experience delivering automated manufacturing systems that run in production. We are looking for engineers who understand the why behind the systems they build - who reason from first principles, challenge requirements that complicate scalable automation, and advocate for designs that enable repeatable, efficient manufacturing. A passion for our mission - and for the discipline of building systems that work - is essential.

Responsibilities

Engage internal customers to define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions

Develop conceptual simulations and cycle time models of individual machines and production lines to evaluate and recommend optimal automation strategies and production line architectures

Develop initial conceptual solutions for automated manufacturing equipment; present solutions and justifications to customer stakeholders and refine approaches based on feedback

Lead Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives with product design teams; recommend product modifications to improve automated manufacturability and reduce system complexity

Prepare cost estimates, labor-hour projections, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions; develop scope of work documents for individual machinery for delivery to internal customers

Own project execution from requirements definition through commissioning, maintaining schedule, budget, and scope alignment throughout the project lifecycle

Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge of assigned projects; serve as the primary point of accountability for system requirements, design decisions, and project status

Identify and evaluate automation component suppliers; support procurement and sourcing decisions

Collaborate with engineering teams during detailed design; provide technical clarification and maintain alignment with conceptual intent

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field

Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems, including minimum 2 years in a project management, technical lead, or equivalent leadership role on capital equipment or automation projects

Hands-on technical experience in industrial automation - including mechanical design, controls engineering, or both - sufficient to lead engineering teams, evaluate technical feasibility, and make informed design decisions without relying solely on analysis or simulation

Experience with automation simulation and cycle time analysis using tools such as Process Simulate, Visual Components, FlexSim, or similar

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

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with PLC, CNC, and robot programming concepts and limitations sufficient to evaluate technical feasibility and communicate effectively with controls engineers

Experience with industrial automation applications including welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, machine vision, and similar

PMP certification or formal project management training

Experience developing capital project budgets and cost models for automation systems, including vendor quote analysis and should-cost modeling

Experience developing scope of work documents, RFQs, or technical specifications for procurement of automation sub-systems, components, devices, and equipment from external suppliers in support of internally developed and integrated automation solutions

Demonstrated ability to apply engineering first principles - including mechanics, control theory, and systems thinking - to evaluate automation feasibility, identify root causes, and develop technically sound solutions to novel manufacturing challenges

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

Benefits include: 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.

Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.