Manufacturing Engineer III – Electric Propulsion Verified today

About the Role

As a Manufacturing Engineer on the Blue National Security propulsion team, you will lead development of manufacturing processes for Hall-effect thruster production. You will drive design-for-manufacturability studies, accelerate product development through cross-functional collaboration, and build scalable practices for high-rate production.

What You Will Do

• Design, procure, assemble, and operate propulsion development manufacturing facilities for system and subsystem assemblies
• Develop manufacturing work instructions covering receiving inspection, fabrication, assembly, integration, test, and refurbishment
• Lead DFx reviews including Design for Manufacturing, Design for Test, and Design for Assembly
• Document build and inspection results with recommended paths forward for test article development
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers and Blue Origin facilities on large, long-lead manufacturing equipment and facility layouts
• Work closely with mechanical design, test, and propulsion engineering teams to translate designs and configurations into functional hardware
• Develop initial process control measures and statistical analysis
• Establish propulsion team manufacturing standards, processes, and workflows for scalable operations
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate cost, schedule, and technical risks
• Plan scaling activities for development and production capacity to support high-rate production
• Assist in hiring, identify team skill gaps, and mentor junior team members

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, or related technical subject area
• 5+ years of career experience in propulsion system manufacturing
• Experience manufacturing flight hardware in a production facility or laboratory
• Hands-on hardware manufacturing experience: additively manufactured components, welding, machining, cleaning, non-destructive testing methods, tight tolerance assembly, leak testing, final acceptance testing, and Manufacturing Execution Systems/Software
• Proven technical leadership in root cause investigations, process improvement initiatives, or strategic team direction
• Ability to develop work instructions with target cycle time from engineering drawings
• Experience in MBOM generation and EBOM/MBOM reconciliation
• Ability to read, interpret, and provide DFx feedback on engineering drawings and technical requirements
• Experience developing and managing work center layouts for material flow and production rate
• Familiarity with good manufacturing practices: 5S, Kanban, Quick Changeover, Continuous Improvement, Error proofing
• Strong safety experience including hands-on planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders in fast-paced environments
• Enthusiasm for mentoring, training, and supporting technical development of team members

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, or related technical subject area
• Proficiency with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and dimensional variation analysis
• Proven experience developing or starting new manufacturing processes
• Electric propulsion production system or subsystem manufacturing experience
• Familiarity with electric propulsion system operation and assembly practices (ion, Hall-effect)
• Experience creating and commissioning development or production manufacturing infrastructure for electric propulsion assemblies
• Proficiency in orbital tube welding and automated Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) for high-performance alloys in propulsion systems
• Statistical process control analyses capability
• Experience supporting rapid iterative design, build, and test loops from concept to production
• Experience scaling and optimizing manufacturing and test practices for increasing production rates
• Conducting failure investigations and resolving non-conformances in high-rate production
• Limited CAD work to draft assembly fixturing and tools
• AS9100 Quality Management System experience
• Analytical and scripting tools: MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, or C++
• Database tools: SQL, Databricks, or similar
• Developing and deploying automated manufacturing processes
• Requirements development/management and PLM tools

Location and Travel

Greater Seattle Area. Relocation provided. Travel expected up to 25% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for Washington applicants: $112,059.00 to $156,882.60 (other site ranges may differ).

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, Education Support Program, and stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours/week. Up to four weeks paid time off per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Performance bonuses may be available depending on role type and job level.

Requirements

Applicants 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. Standard background check required for all positions.