Supplier Development & Qualification Engineer III, Avionics, Communications & Solar

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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 & Qualification Engineer at Blue Origin you will build and execute the technical programs that transform our supply base from reactive to ready. This role owns the avionics communications and solar commodity portfolio GNC units GPS receivers antennas transponders RF assemblies and solar arrays flying on Blue Ring and our satellite programs. Working directly with suppliers you will lead qualification activities across Blue Origins 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. Because this portfolio is growing quickly you will also expand the qualified base behind it bringing on new sources and maturing the criteria and standard work that let us qualify them faster as these programs scale. 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 Origins 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 Origins 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.

Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Readiness
Own technical onboarding and qualification of suppliers across the four-gate pathway from capability survey through first article approval and rate readiness
Build onboarding and qualification plans with clear milestones acceptance gates and go/no-go criteria; initiate qualifications ahead of demand
Conduct facility and technical capability assessments; evaluate process control test capability workforce competency and ability to scale to rate
Review supplier qualification and acceptance data qualification test reports Acceptance Test Procedures end-item data packages and as-built/as-tested configuration records and disposition findings against Blues requirements
Assess qualification by similarity flight heritage and delta-qualification needs when a suppliers existing product is applied to a new Blue application
Define acceptance criteria for test fixtures ESD-controlled packaging and handling of contamination- and moisture-sensitive hardware
Supplier Development
Design and run development programs with critical suppliers including design-to-manufacture workshops and yield and capacity improvement initiatives
Drive measurable improvement in supplier quality delivery performance and technical maturity
Expand the qualified supply base across the portfolio; mature the criteria gate frameworks and standard work that enable faster qualification at scale
Technical Sourcing Support
Build technical content for executable bid packages: performance and process requirements qualification and acceptance test requirements workmanship callouts and data deliverables
Partner with Commodity Managers to embed technical flowdowns into agreements; provide supplier capability benchmarks to inform source selection
Provide technical grounding for make/buy and second-source trade analysis
Engineering Collaboration
Partner with Avionics GNC Communications and Power/Solar engineering teams from design through production release; represent supply chain in design reviews and engineering change processes
Read and interpret interface control documents performance specifications schematics and wiring/harness diagrams; identify producibility and specification gaps early
Feed supplier readiness status and emerging risks to Supply Chain Program Managers; surface blockers ahead of schedule impact

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Electrical Electronics Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering Physics or a related technical field
4 years in supplier development manufacturing engineering supply chain engineering quality engineering or component engineering supporting electronic RF electro-optical or solar hardware in a production or high-reliability environment
Experience on satellite in-space vehicle or constellation programs including rate ramp on supplier-designed units
Experience reviewing supplier qualification and acceptance documentation and identifying non-compliances against requirements
Experience conducting supplier facility and capability assessments
Ability to read and interpret specifications interface control documents schematics and wiring diagrams
Working familiarity with environmental qualification of electronic hardware thermal vacuum thermal cycling vibration and shock EMI/EMC
Familiarity with AS9100 supplier quality systems and AS9102 first-article inspection
Strong written and verbal communication; able to translate technical findings into clear commercial and programmatic language
Willingness to travel approximately 25% domestically and internationally for supplier assessments and qualification events

Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on experience with one or more of: inertial or electro-optical sensors (IMUs star trackers sun sensors) GNSS/GPS receivers RF and microwave hardware (antennas filters waveguide amplifiers transponders) or solar cells and array laminates
Space-flight hardware experience: radiation hardness assurance TID and single-event effects screening radiation lot acceptance testing
RF test familiarity: VNA verification insertion loss and VSWR passive intermodulation multipaction
Solar-specific experience: triple-junction cell and CIC processes panel lay-up and laminate qualification AM0/LAPSS testing BOL/EOL performance
Contamination-sensitive build: cleanroom operations outgassing optical handling
Workmanship standards for harnesses and unit internals
EEE parts engineering: screening levels derating lot traceability counterfeit avoidance
ITAR/EAR familiarity including USML Category XV hardware
Masters degree in Engineering Supply Chain or a related technical field

Base Pay Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting retaining and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications performance and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust equality and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire promotion and other terms and conditions of employment regardless of their race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin/ethnicity age physical or mental disability genetic factors military/veteran status or any other status or characteristic protected by federal state and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal state and local laws including the Washington Fair Chance Act the California Fair Chance Act the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance and other applicable laws. For more information on Know Your Rights please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.