Automated Fiber Placement Applications Engineer II – New Glenn Composite Structures

Application close date:

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a small, hardworking, passionate, diverse, and highly skilled team, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of new manufacturing, inspection, and refurbishment processes for composite structures and assemblies.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support development, design, analysis, and testing of primary and secondary composite structures.
• Develop composite ply stacks and programs for development and production parts.
• Release designs, drawings, and programs for composite part fabrication.
• Establish inspection and acceptance criteria for composite laminates and structures.
• Develop material trials, testing, and acceptance criteria.
• Perform research, develop concepts, and run demonstrations.
• Support configuration development and trade studies.
• Create test plans, specifications, and other documentation for the development of flight hardware.
• Provide manufacturing and production support.
• Participate in subsystem test planning, execution, data reduction and analysis.
• Work with cross-functional teams that are responsible for selecting materials, manufacturing processes, and suppliers to produce world class aerospace hardware.
• Plan, coordinate, conduct tests, and review test data
• Participate in the development and purchase of new equipment and tooling.
• Maintain and report on activity schedule, budget and technical status.
• Coach, mentor and technically assist other engineers.
• Identify opportunities for improvements and operational cost savings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Material Science, Chemical, Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 3 years of experience working with aircraft, marine, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures.
• Experienced with fabrication and inspection processes for composite aerospace structures using automated methods such as Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), Automated Tape Layup (ATL), or similar.
• Experience with CNC programming of composites using Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), Automated Tape Layup (ATL), or similar.
• Experience with design of aerospace structure utilizing CAD systems/tools.
• Ability to travel to support development and testing opportunities at other Blue Origin and vendor sites.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Material Science, Chemical, Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering or related field
• Specific experience with AFP/ATL programming and simulation using CG-tech VCP/VCS, MTorres Fiberlay, Ingersoll CPS/iCPS/GenII or similar.
• Specific experience with composite part design and drafting using CATIA, NX, or similar.
• Experience with tooling standards and design for composite manufacturing.
• Experience planning and executing a material development or test campaign.
• Experience with industry standard mechanical and physical property test methods for the characterization of structural composite materials.
• Experience with statistical analysis and DOE methods as applied to development, design, and analysis.

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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 (DIBDS) 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, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

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.

• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and 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.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

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