Blue Origin

Manager, Factory Automation

Blue Origin$161K — $226K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related field
  • At least 2 years of experience managing engineering or technician teams
  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with automated manufacturing system design
  • Proven track record of delivering automated systems into production
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status required

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a team in designing and deploying automated manufacturing systems
  • Recruit and retain a high-performing engineering team
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to streamline automation processes
  • Manage project schedules, resource allocation, and cross-functional dependencies
  • Monitor team performance and develop risk mitigation plans
  • Communicate project status and risks to senior leadership
  • Champion Design for Automated Manufacturing principles across teams

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability
  • 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match
  • Education Support Program for ongoing learning
  • Stock options for all regular employees working 20 hours/week or more
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off plus 14 paid holidays
Full Job Description

Application close date:

12/1/2026

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.

Manager, Factory Automation

About This Role

Blue Origin's Factory Automation team is part of the Advanced Manufacturing organization within Operations — serving as the in-house automation integrator responsible for designing, building, and deploying the custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production across Blue Origin's manufacturing business units. We build manufacturing capability from the ground up — developing automated solutions that directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin's products across current and future programs.


We are looking for a technically grounded engineering manager who brings deep, hands-on experience in one or more of the core disciplines on this team — mechanical engineering, controls engineering, or automation project and program management — and has personally delivered automated manufacturing systems into production. This is not a role for someone who has managed automation from a distance: the right candidate hasreal experiencein the work — design, build, installation, commissioning, orall ofthe above and carries that credibility into every interaction with their team. You will lead a close-knit group of engineers and technicians, set technical direction, manageteamand project health across the full lifecycle from concept through commissioning, and ensure your team's work rolls up effectively into the broader program plan and business goals. You will challenge product design teams to design for automated manufacturing, remove obstacles across the organization, and build a team culture defined by ownership, craftsmanship, and urgency. A dedication to safety, quality, and our mission is essential.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage a team of automation engineers and technicians in the design, build, and deployment of high-rate automated manufacturing systemsfor the production ofaerospace components

  • Recruit, develop, andretaina high-performing team of automation engineers and technicians capable of rapidly delivering quality, cost-effective automation systems

  • Partner with stakeholders across the organization to drive alignment, resolve impediments, and streamline the automation development and deployment process

  • Manage resource allocation, project schedules, and cross-functional dependencies to deliver automation projects on scope, schedule, and budget;maintainvisibility into individual project health requirements, capabilities, schedule, and cost and ensureaccurateroll-up into the team's local program plan and the broader Factory Automation program

  • Monitor team and project performance;identifyrisks early and develop proactive mitigation plans to protect organizational commitments including scope, schedule, cost, and quality in alignment with team, program, and business goals

  • Communicate project status, risks, and escalations clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders; translate team-level execution health into program-level reporting and ensure alignment with businessobjectivesand annual operating plan commitments

  • Champion Design for Automated Manufacturing principles across product design and engineering teams; drive adoption of automation-friendly design practices that reduce system complexity and enable scalable production

  • Define and manage the scope of automation system deliverables frominitialrequirements through acceptance serving as the accountable owner for what the team builds, what it costs, and when it ships

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field
  • Minimum 2 years of experience managing teams of engineers and/or technicians delivering automated manufacturing systems
  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience designing automated manufacturing systems while working for an automation systems integrator, machine tool builder, in-house automation team, or similar
  • Demonstrated experience delivering automated manufacturing systems into production including hands-on involvement in one or more phases of design, build, installation, or commissioning
  • 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:

  • Experience with industrial automation applications including welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, machine vision, and similar
  • Experience with manufacturing and engineering systems including MES, ERP, MRP, PLM, and source and configuration management tools and practices
  • Familiarity with Industrial Engineering concepts including line balancing, takt time, and factory layout optimization, to guide integration of automation systems within the broader production environment
  • Experience with SCADA andIIoTsystems and concepts
  • Experience developing capital project cost estimates, budgets, and scopes of work for automation systems including AOP planning, should-cost modeling, vendor quote analysis, and capital project lifecycle management
  • Experience building or scaling an automation team, including defining roles,establishingtechnical standards, and developing team capability
  • PMP certification, formal project management training, or equivalent program management experience in a capital equipment or automation environment


Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $161,567.00 - $226,193.10

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.

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 company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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