CNC Machining Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

This role supports the development and qualification of CNC machining processes for a new advanced hardware program at Blue Origin. The successful candidate will own machining process engineering across the full range of program hardware.

Responsibilities

• Developing CNC machining process plans for complex aerospace components — defining operation sequences, machine assignments, fixturing concepts, tooling selections, and cutting parameters for multi-axis milling, turning, and grinding operations
• Defining CAM programming strategies and standards — selecting toolpath approaches, establishing programming templates, and working with CAM programmers to optimize cycle time, surface finish, and tool life on nickel superalloys, stainless steels, titanium, and other difficult-to-machine materials
• Qualifying machining processes through first-article builds, process capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and statistical process control (SPC) implementation for critical dimensions and surface integrity requirements
• Developing machining processes for finish machining of additively manufactured (AM) components — including datum strategy, stock-on-condition assessment, fixturing of near-net shapes, and post-processing to final drawing dimensions on DMLS/SLM-printed parts
• Providing Design for Machinability (DFM) feedback to design engineering — influencing tolerances, feature geometry, surface finish callouts, material selection, and datum schemes to optimize producibility before designs freeze
• Evaluating, selecting, and specifying CNC machine tools — multi-axis mills, turning centers, mill-turns, grinders, and EDM equipment — including vendor assessment, capability studies, and factory acceptance testing (FAT) to build the long-term production equipment plan
• Developing and maintaining machining work instructions, setup sheets, and tool lists that enable repeatable execution by CNC machinists across all shifts
• Providing shipside/lineside machining engineering support during first-article and production runs — monitoring process performance, troubleshooting tool wear and chatter issues, adjusting parameters in real time, and making offset decisions
• Leading machining-related nonconformance investigations — performing root cause analysis on dimensional exceedances, surface finish failures, tool breakage incidents, and metallurgical damage (e.g., grinding burn, white layer), developing corrective actions and process improvements
• Defining tooling strategies — selecting cutting tools, defining tool life management programs, evaluating coatings and insert geometries for superalloy machining, and managing relationships with cutting tool vendors
• Specifying and developing fixturing and workholding solutions for complex part geometries — including hydraulic, vacuum, and custom fixture design concepts for thin-wall and distortion-sensitive components
• Supporting automation initiatives — collaborating with automation engineers on automated tool measurement, in-process probing, adaptive machining, and lights-out operation strategies

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in CNC machining process engineering, manufacturing engineering with a machining focus, or CNC applications engineering
• Direct experience developing machining processes for aerospace or precision hardware in nickel-based superalloys (Inconel, Haynes, Waspaloy), stainless steels, and/or titanium
• Proficiency with CAM software — able to define programming strategies and review toolpaths even if not the primary programmer
• Strong understanding of multi-axis CNC milling (3- through 5-axis simultaneous) and CNC turning/mill-turn operations
• Experience with process qualification — first-article inspection, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and establishing repeatable, capable machining processes
• Strong understanding of cutting tool technology — tool materials, coatings, insert geometries, and tool life management for difficult-to-machine alloys
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of multi-axis CNC milling (3- through 5-axis simultaneous) and CNC turning/mill-turn operations
• Experience with process qualification — first-article inspection, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and establishing repeatable, capable machining processes
• Strong understanding of cutting tool technology — tool materials, coatings, insert geometries, and tool life management for difficult-to-machine alloys
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Skills

• Strong understanding of multi-axis CNC milling (3- through 5-axis simultaneous) and CNC turning/mill-turn operations
• Experience with process qualification — first-article inspection, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and establishing repeatable, capable machining processes
• Strong understanding of cutting tool technology — tool materials, coatings, insert geometries, and tool life management for difficult-to-machine alloys
• Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Benefits

• 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%
• 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