Supplier Quality Engineer III

About the role

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which comprises Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance, including Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. As part of a diverse and hardworking team of experts, you will develop and execute supplier quality processes for the design, test, and manufacture of launch vehicles, spacecraft, and related technologies for various spaceflight systems. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of Supplier Quality Management processes.

This position may be based in Kent, Washington; Huntsville, Alabama; or Merritt Island, Florida. Relocation assistance is offered. Passion for our mission and vision is absolutely required.

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.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate current and prospective suppliers for technical capability, quality-system maturity, capacity, and operational stability.
• Monitor supplier quality performance and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead supplier containment, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and recovery planning for quality and delivery issues.
• Drive measurable reductions in supplier nonconformances, defects, escapes, and repeat discrepancies.
• Conduct or participate in supplier assessments, quality-system and process audits, pre-shipment reviews, source inspections, hardware acceptance activities, and corrective-action verification.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and test processes for compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, contractual requirements, and applicable quality standards.
• Support supplier and program reviews to ensure alignment with production requirements and long-term business objectives.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, program quality, and suppliers to resolve technical and quality issues.
• Communicate supplier performance, risks, corrective-action status, and recovery plans to program stakeholders and senior management.
• Support the transition of hardware from development and qualification into stable, repeatable production.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and inclusion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• 7 or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 4 years in a Supplier Quality Engineering role.
• Quality assurance or quality engineering experience in an aerospace production environment.
• Technical knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and test processes.
• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing plans, inspection plans, and supplier quality records.
• Demonstrated experience leading supplier corrective actions, root-cause investigations, containment activities, and nonconformance-reduction initiatives.
• Ability to evaluate technical and quality risks and communicate findings clearly to suppliers, cross-functional stakeholders, and senior leaders.
• Strong initiative, organization, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.
• Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time and have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the United States as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical or supplier quality experience with one or more of the following aerospace commodities, systems, or manufacturing processes: Avionics, Electronics, Machined parts, Fabricated parts and structures, Composites, Valves, Mechanical assemblies, Electromechanical assemblies, Machining and fabrication.
• Experience with satellite or spacecraft hardware, including communication devices, avionics, electronics, radio-frequency systems, antennas, transmitters, receivers, or related components.
• Experience working with Government Customers.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, inspection, testing, qualification, and acceptance requirements for satellite and communication hardware.
• Experience managing supplier quality for high-reliability electronic or communication devices used in aerospace or space environments.
• Experience transitioning products from development and qualification through production and operations.
• Experience performing AS9100 quality-system audits.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality standards and tools, including AS9102, advanced product quality planning, process capability, and statistical process control.

Pay

Base pay range for CA applicants: $112,059.00 - $156,882.60; for WA applicants: $112,059.00 - $156,882.60. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 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
• Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for additional benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation.