Materials & Processes Engineer III — Generalist and Contamination Control

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

You will be responsible for the comprehensive oversight and execution of contamination control for Lunar Permanence. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of contamination control from the design phase through manufacturing and processing to meet spacecraft requirements. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities:

• Support materials selection and qualification with attention to particle generation, outgassing, and chemical compatibility for space and propulsion environments

• Maintain and continuously improve cleanroom, controlled work environment, and precision cleaning protocols for manufacturing, assembly, and integration operations

• Develop, implement, and maintain Contamination Control Plans (CCPs) for space systems, fluid systems, and precision mechanisms in accordance with applicable government and industry standards

• Establish cleanliness level requirements and verification approaches for turbomachinery, fluid systems, optical payloads, mechanical assemblies, and sensitive flight hardware.

• Plan and execute cleanliness verification testing including:

  • Particle count analysis (liquid and airborne)
  • Non-Volatile Residue (NVR) gravimetric and chemical analysis
  • Witness coupon and fluid sample processing
  • Optical and visual contamination inspections

• Review and approve engineering drawings, assembly procedures, and work instructions for contamination control compliance. Lead and participate in anomaly investigations and formal failure analyses involving contamination events; generate, track, and close corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)

• Author and maintain engineering specifications, standards, and process documents governing contamination control.

• Provide M&P and contamination control inputs at formal program design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs)

• Interface with government customers, program offices, and prime contractors on contamination control requirements, compliance status, and data deliverables

• Support supplier audits and surveys to ensure vendor compliance with contamination control requirements

• Assess material and fluid compatibility for propulsion systems utilizing liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid hydrogen (LH2), RP-1, hydrazine, and high-pressure pressurants

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to production technicians and manufacturing engineers

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related technical discipline

• 5+ years of experience in Materials & Processes engineering with demonstrated focus on contamination control in aerospace, defense, or precision spaceflight hardware environments

• U.S. Citizenship required (position subject to ITAR and U.S. Government contract requirements)

• Working knowledge of contamination control standards and specifications, including:

  • IEST-STD-CC1246 — Product Cleanliness Levels and Contamination Control Program
  • MIL-STD-1246 — Product Cleanliness Levels and Contamination Control
  • ASTM E595 — Total Mass Loss and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (outgassing)
  • ISO 14644 — Cleanroom classifications and controlled environments
  • NASA-STD-5300 series or equivalent DoD/government cleanliness standards

• Hands-on experience with cleanliness verification techniques: particle counting, NVR analysis, gravimetric testing, witness coupons, and optical inspection

• Demonstrated experience writing technical specifications, engineering instructions, and compliance documentation to government program standards

• Familiarity with precision cleaning methods for metallic and non-metallic aerospace hardware

• Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline

• Experience with liquid propellant rocket engine cleanliness and propulsion fluid system contamination control (LOX, LH2, RP-1, hydrazine, pressurants)

• Familiarity with M&P as a generalist in one of the following areas: EEE, cable and harness, metallics and coatings

• Background in spacecraft integration and test (I&T) contamination control environments

• Experience interfacing directly with government program offices (USSF, NRO, MDA, NASA MSFC) on M&P and contamination compliance

• Knowledge of AS9100D quality management systems and quality data packages (QDPs)

• Experience with Windchill, SAP, or equivalent PLM/ERP configuration management systems

• Working knowledge of NDE/NDT methods relevant to surface cleanliness verification

• Six Sigma experience or similar continuous improvement certification

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement 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.

Export Control Regulations Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: 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%, and an 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.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.