Blue Origin

Supplier Development Engineer

Blue Origin$112K — $156K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in Engineering or related field
  • 4+ years of supplier development or manufacturing experience
  • Experience with supplier audits and readiness assessments
  • Strong grasp of manufacturing processes and their impact on quality
  • Excellent communicator with cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Willingness to travel regularly to supplier sites
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Responsibilities

  • Lead supplier qualification activities through Blue Origin's qualification process
  • Conduct audits to evaluate supplier manufacturing capability
  • Maintain qualification files from initial assessments to production approval
  • Drive development programs with key suppliers for quality and capacity improvements
  • Work with Supplier Quality to establish a baseline for quality management systems
  • Maintain a qualification library to promote data reuse across teams
  • Support global supplier development with consistent qualification standards

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with a company match
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off per year
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability
  • Stock options for eligible employees
  • Up to 14 company-paid holidays
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.

As a Supplier Development Engineer at Blue Origin, you will build and execute the technical programs that transform our supply base from reactive to ready. Working directly with suppliers, you will lead qualification activities across Blue Origin's 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. 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 Origin's 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 Origin's 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.

Special Mentions
  • Relocation provided
  • Travel expected up to 50% of the time
  • Multiple positions available

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Lead supplier qualification activities through Blue Origin's four-gate pathway (Capability Survey, On-Site Audit, First Article Inspection, Rate Readiness) - initiating qualifications proactively ahead of program demand
  • Conduct on-site supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing process maturity, quality systems, capacity, and readiness to meet Blue Origin's performance requirements
  • Own and maintain complete qualification files for assigned suppliers and commodities, from initial assessment through first article approval and into production
  • Drive supplier development programs with Strategic and Preferred tier suppliers, including design-to-manufacture workshops and capacity investment planning
  • Partner with Supplier Quality during the qualification process to assess supplier QMS capability and quality system maturity - establishing a clear quality baseline before suppliers enter the approved supply base
  • Maintain the enterprise qualification library to enable cross-program reuse of qualification data, reducing redundant efforts across Blue Origin's business units
  • Support international supply base development by applying consistent qualification and development standards to global suppliers
  • Contribute to Blue Origin's annual and quarterly supplier conference programs to align on performance expectations, development roadmaps, and strategic partnerships
  • Build and maintain qualification and capability data in systems of record to support supply base visibility, sourcing decisions, and future-state automation

Minimum Qualifications
  • B.S. degree or higher in an Engineeringor field
  • 4+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or a related cross-functional role with direct supplier-facing accountability
  • Experience planning and executing supplier audits or manufacturing readiness assessments
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how process maturity affects quality, delivery, and cost outcomes
  • Experience working across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Program teams
  • Ability to travel regularly to supplier facilities
  • Excellent communication skills - ability to set clear expectations with suppliers, drive accountability, and translate technical performance requirements across organizational boundaries
  • 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 in aerospace, space systems, defense, advanced manufacturing, or another high-complexity regulated industry
  • Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102 or equivalent standard
  • Familiarity with AS9100 or AS9120 quality management system requirements
  • Experience designing or executing supplier development programs, including DtM workshops, capacity planning, and yield improvement initiatives
  • Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, or similar process improvement training or experience
  • Experience with supplier tiering models, quarterly business reviews, or executive business reviews
  • Familiarity with rate readiness assessments, production readiness reviews, or supplier ramp planning
  • Experience supporting international supply base development or global supplier engagement


Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60

Other site ranges may differ

Culture 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 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 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 (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 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 (obtained before onboarding), 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.
  • 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 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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