Manufacturing Engineer - Thrust Chamber Assembly

Blue Origin - Huntsville, AL

Full-time

Huntsville, AL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

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 diverse 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, Facilities, and Security. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for thrust chamber fabrication processes for rocket engines. As a Thrust Chamber Manufacturing Engineer, you will translate engineering intent, drawings, and configurations into fully functional hardware ready for test, qualification, and flight. Throughout the manufacturing process, you will also identify, develop, and deploy methods to improve fabrication quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequence and schedules. As an integral member of the team, you will conduct DFMA and PFMEA studies to strengthen the feedback loop between design, build, and test in order to accelerate the pace of rocket engine development. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Identify, define, develop, implement, and optimize new or existing thrust chamber manufacturing processes (fabrication, inspection, cleaning, assembly, integration, and test)
• Conduct fabrication DFMA and PFMEA studies to strengthen the feedback loop between design, build, and test
• Provide data to drive decisions from DFM and PFMEA studies as well as historical actuals
• Translate engineering intent, drawings, and configurations into fully functional hardware
• Drive inputs to the selection of material and design
• Define how to prepare hardware for manufacturing, test, qualification, and flight
• Identify, develop, and deploy new fabrication manufacturing methods (or refine existing) to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build schedule
• Develop thrust chamber fabrication manufacturing work instructions to clearly define the following manufacturing process: receiving inspection, fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and refurbishment
• Closely manage cost, quality, build sequence, and schedule of hardware throughout the entire manufacturing process
• Perform engineering drawing review and provide final approval for manufacturing
• Develop fabrication process control measures and evaluation through statistical analysis
• Define and support fabrication repair and rework activities
• Design, procure, install, and integrate custom manufacturing equipment
• Connect with external suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure that hardware and equipment is manufactured, processed, packaged, and delivered accurately, on time, and on budget
• Perform capacity analysis and evaluate staffing requirements
• Perform root cause analyses when non-conformances and escapes are identified and deploy corrective actions
• Manage hardware configuration and maintain pedigree throughout the entire build and test process

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering (other relevant fields may apply) from an accredited university (Master of Science preferred)
• Direct thrust chamber fabrication, combustion device fabrication, manufacturing, or manufacturing engineering experience
• Expert in engineering fundamentals for mechanical design and manufacturing
• 3+ years of experience in hardware manufacturing processes (i.e. castings, forgings, additively manufactured components, welding, machining, cleaning, non-destructive testing methods, tight tolerance assembly, leak testing, final acceptance testing of integrated hardware, working with large assemblies, etc)
• Proven experience and successful track record developing/starting new manufacturing processes
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Scheduling, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc)
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• 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

• Master of Science preferred

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%
• Education Support Program
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
• Up to 14 company-paid holidays
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.