Blue Origin

Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Blue Origin$181K — $254K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related field
  • 6+ years hands-on experience with industrial controls and automation systems
  • Proficient in PLC and HMI programming; control system architecture design
  • Ability to interpret electrical and mechanical drawings
  • Experience with industrial safety system design and safety PLCs
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with applications engineers to develop automated manufacturing equipment
  • Design control system architectures and communication protocols
  • Lead industrial controls and electrical design for automation systems
  • Develop simulations of automated systems for validation and debugging
  • Transition from offline development to online commissioning of control programs
  • Integrate various equipment into unified control systems
  • Support installation teams during system integration and testing
  • Create and deliver comprehensive controls documentation packages

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance options, including supplemental coverage
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage
  • 401(k) plan with company match up to 5%
  • Stock options available for all regular employees
  • Generous paid time off including up to four weeks per year and 14 paid holidays
  • Potential for bonuses based on performance and contributions
Full Job Description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

About This Role

Blue Origin's Factory Automation team is part of the Advanced Manufacturing organization within Operations 6 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 6 developing automated solutions that directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin's products across current and future programs.

We are looking for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer who brings deep hands-onexpertisein industrial controls design and automation systems integration 6 someone who thrives in a build-it-and-commission-it environment, moves with urgency, and takes full technical ownership from concept through production ramp-up. This role goes beyond pure controls engineering: you will drive projects end-to-end, navigating R26D, design, build, installation, and commissioning while coordinating across a broad range of stakeholders and disciplines. You will define control system architectures, set technical standards, and deliver solutions that work in the real world 6 including challenging product design teams to design for automated manufacturing when requirements complicate scalable automation. A passion for our mission 6 and for the discipline of building systems that work 6 is essential.

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment, providing controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design
  • Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols
  • Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems
  • Develop offline simulations of automated systems 6 ranging from discrete work cells to fully automated product lines 6 tovalidatecontrol logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior from concept through final design, including pre-programming and virtual commissioning prior to hardware availability
  • Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and similar industrial controls programs from scratch
  • Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems
  • Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams; provide technical support during system integration and commissioning
  • Lead factory and site acceptance testing
  • Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems
  • Create and deliver controls documentation packages including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field
  • Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch 6 including PLC and HMI programming as core competencies, control system architecture design (network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, multi-platform communication protocols), and broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, material handling systems (gantries, AGVs, conveyors), CNC machine integration, NDT, assembly, testing, and process tools (torque, welding, grinding, or similar)
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings
  • Experience with industrial safety system design including functional safety devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits
  • 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:

  • Familiarity with industrial automation and machine safety standards including IEC 61131, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, RIA R15.06, and functional safety standards (IEC 62061 / ISO 13849), including experience conducting or supporting formal risk assessments
  • Experienceutilizingindustrial automation simulation software for offline programming, virtual commissioning, and full production line simulation 6 including tools such as Plant Simulate, Process Simulate, Visual Components,KUKA.Sim,RobotStudio, or similar
  • Experience with industrial machine vision systems, including custom application development using platforms such as Cognex 6 encompassing out-of-the-box configuration, novel programming, and machine learning (ML)-based inspection and guidance solutions
  • Experience building,modifying, and troubleshooting electrical control panels
  • Experience with electrical design for industrial control systems using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD platforms
  • Demonstrated history of delivering custom automated manufacturing systems from concept through production ramp-up


Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35

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 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.

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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