Senior Automation Controls Engineer

About the role

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which includes Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. It involves Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

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 — ranging from discrete work cells to fully automated product lines — to validate control 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

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 — 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