Solar R&D Manufacturing Engineer III

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers you will define, document, and continuously improve production processes for complex solar panels and deployment mechanisms. You will design robust workflows and controls, optimize operations through data‑driven experimentation, and implement in‑line quality and traceability systems. You will uphold rigorous cleanliness and compliance standards, analyze yield and defects to drive corrective actions and mistake‑proofing, and ensure tooling, fixtures, and semi‑automation are ready and effective.

You will prepare review materials and capability evidence, train operators on workmanship expectations, maintain configuration integrity and build histories, and coordinate closely with Tooling, Test, and Automation to deliver reliable, scalable manufacturing in a fast‑moving, cross‑disciplinary, geographically distributed R&D environment.

• Travel expected up to 20% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment.

• Draft and sustain WIs, travelers, and checklists for solar panel assembly and array/mechanism integration
• Execute DOE trials to tune welding/tabbing, adhesive dispense/cure, lamination, and handling processes
• Set up and manage in-line inspection: AOI/vision, IV flash, EL imaging, continuity/hipot; ensure traceability
• Perform receiving inspections and lot qualification; support NC processing
• Enforce ESD, cleanroom, contamination/out gassing controls; maintain tooling calibration and readiness
• Analyze yield and defect data; implement containment, poke‑yoke, and 5S/visual management
• Collaborate with Tooling/GSE and Automation on fixtures, transfer systems, and process sensors
• Support structured review readiness; generate process capability evidence
• Apply workmanship standards (NASA‑STD‑8739.x, J‑STD‑001, etc.) and train operators
• Document changes through CM; maintain as-built records and build histories
• Coordinate with Tooling/GSE on fixtures and with Test on TVAC/vibe/deployment handling procedures
• Work effectively in a scrappy cross‑disciplinary R&D environment with a geographically distributed team

• BS in ME/IE/Manufacturing or related engineering discipline; 3–5+ years in aerospace electronics/composites or solar panel manufacturing
• Authoring and sustaining WIs/travelers/checklists; MES traceability
• DOE execution for welding/tabbing, adhesive dispense/cure, lamination/handling
• In‑line inspection/test setup: AOI/vision, IV flash, EL, continuity/hipot; receiving inspection/NC support
• ESD, cleanroom, contamination/out gassing controls; tooling calibration/readiness
• Familiarity with NASA‑STD‑8739.x, J‑STD‑001, IPC‑A‑610/7711/7721

• 5–7+ years; IPC/J‑STD/NASA‑8739 certifications
• Experience with semi‑automation (vision/PLC basics) and fixture/gage development
• Preparing MRR/PRR/TRR packages and process capability evidence

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…