Sr. Automation Project Engineer

About the role

Honeybee Robotics, a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. This role resides within the Honeybee Robotics Motion Control Business Unit, supporting Blue Origin's Factory Automation team — the in-house automation integrator within Advanced Manufacturing responsible for designing, building, and deploying custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production.

Responsibilities

• Engage internal customers to define, document, and validate system requirements for automated manufacturing solutions
• Develop conceptual simulations and cycle time models of individual machines and production lines to evaluate and recommend optimal automation strategies and production line architectures
• Lead Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives with product design teams; recommend product modifications to improve automated manufacturability and reduce system complexity
• Prepare cost estimates, labor-hour projections, and project schedules for proposed automation solutions; develop scope of work documents for individual machinery for delivery to internal customers
• Own project execution from requirements definition through commissioning, maintaining schedule, budget, and scope alignment throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain comprehensive technical knowledge of assigned projects; serve as the primary point of accountability for system requirements, design decisions, and project status
• Identify and evaluate automation component suppliers, support procurement and sourcing decisions
• Collaborate with engineering teams during detailed design; provide technical clarification and maintain alignment with conceptual intent

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or related engineering field
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience in the design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems, including minimum 2 years in a project management, technical lead, or equivalent leadership role on capital equipment or automation projects
• Hands-on technical experience in industrial automation — including mechanical design, controls engineering, or both — sufficient to lead engineering teams, evaluate technical feasibility, and make informed design decisions without relying solely on analysis or simulation

Qualifications

• Familiarity with PLC, CNC, and robot programming concepts and limitations sufficient to evaluate technical feasibility and communicate effectively with controls engineers
• Experience with varied industrial automation applications including welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, machine vision, and similar
• PMP certification or formal project management training
• Experience developing capital project budgets and cost models for automation systems, including vendor quote analysis and should-cost modeling
• Experience developing scope of work documents, RFQs, or technical specifications for procurement of automation sub-systems, components, devices, and equipment from external suppliers in support of internally developed and integrated automation solutions
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering first principles — including mechanics, control theory, and systems thinking — to evaluate automation feasibility, identify root causes, and develop technically sound solutions to novel manufacturing challenges

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices in automation and manufacturing

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
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays

Pay

Base Pay Range For CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35

Schedule

Full-time position