Engineer, Quality I (Machine Shops)

About the Role

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!

We are looking for an early-career Quality Engineer to support our fabrication operations, covering precision machining and structural welding. This role is a strong fit for a recent graduate or early-career engineer who wants hands-on experience with hardware, and to help build quality processes in a growing operation. Working with mentoring from senior quality engineers, you will partner with manufacturing engineers, machinists, welders, and inspectors to make sure fabricated parts meet drawing and specification requirements. You will learn the shop floor, solve real problems, and help put strong quality practices in place. Our quality management system is aligned to ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Interviews will include a technical assessment
• Locations: Kent, WA; Huntsville, AL; or FL

Key Responsibilities

• Support quality for machined and welded components from first part verification through production
• Review drawings, routers, work instructions, and inspection plans for clarity, inspectability, and alignment to requirements
• Help perform and document first part verification on new or changed machined and welded parts as part of the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Help assemble PPAP packages, including dimensional results, material and process records, measurement system analysis, and initial process capability studies
• Support weld quality by reviewing Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and welder qualifications, and by assisting with visual weld inspection
• Coordinate nondestructive testing (NDT), such as PT, MT, UT, and RT, with qualified personnel, and review the results
• Help write nonconformance reports (NCRs), support NC dispositions, and keep records complete and traceable
• Participate in root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations using 5 Whys, fishbone (Ishikawa), and 8D; track actions to verified closure
• Help develop process flow diagrams, process FMEAs, and control plans for machining and welding processes
• Collect and analyze quality data (defect trends, scrap, rework, first-pass yield, SPC) and present clear findings and recommendations
• Support measurement activities, including gage selection, calibration status checks, CMM report review, and basic Gage R&R studies
• Help write and improve procedures, forms, and work instructions, and support internal audits
• Spend significant time on the shop floor, learning machining and welding processes firsthand and building strong relationships with production teams

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Welding, or Materials Engineering, or a related field)
• 0–2 years of engineering experience
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel or similar tools for data analysis
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work on-site in a fabrication shop environment and wear required PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear)
• 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

• Internship or co-op in quality, manufacturing, machining, or welding engineering
• Hands-on project team experience (e.g., Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, or similar) that involved fabricating, machining, or welding hardware
• Familiarity with GD&T per ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with welding processes (GTAW, GMAW, SMAW) and welding codes such as AWS D1.1, AWS D17.1, or ASME Section IX
• Exposure to CNC machining processes and dimensional inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, height gages, CMM)
• Coursework or exposure to statistics, SPC, or design of experiments; Six Sigma Green Belt training a plus
• Familiarity with problem-solving methods such as 8D, A3, or FMEA
• Familiarity with PPAP and APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) concepts
• Exposure to ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality management systems
• Experience with data tools such as Minitab, JMP, Power BI, or Python
• Pursuit of or interest in AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certifications

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.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for additional benefits and bonuses.