Quality Engineer III – Design Quality & R&D Integration in Washington, District of Columbia at Blue Origin

Title: Quality Engineer III – Design Quality & R&D Integration

Location: Greater Seattle Area

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R64573

Description:

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

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, inspectors, and engineers, you will serve as a quality champion embedded at the earliest stages of research and development, ensuring that the hardware we build tomorrow is designed right today. This is a unique opportunity to shape the quality DNA of programs across Blue Origin's entire portfolio — from launch vehicles to lunar systems and beyond.

Special Mentions:

• Shifts available:
  • M-F A-Shift

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform thorough engineering drawing reviews to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable standards, including GD&T (ASME Y14.5), material callouts, and manufacturing feasibility
• Provide design quality inputs during design reviews (PDR, CDR, and other milestone gates), advocating for producibility, inspectability, and reliability
• Integrate quality principles early in the product lifecycle by participating in Research & Development (R&D) activities and supporting the transition from development to production
• Develop and maintain Inspection Plans for new and evolving hardware, ensuring inspection methods are aligned with design intent and risk posture
• Lead and facilitate Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEAs) in collaboration with design, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to proactively identify and mitigate risk
• Apply Design for Manufacturability and Inspectability (DFMI) principles to influence design decisions that reduce defect risk and improve downstream quality outcomes
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, systems engineers, and program teams to embed quality requirements throughout the product development process
• Support the development and review of quality requirements documentation, including quality plans, acceptance criteria, and test requirements
• Identify and communicate design-related quality risks and drive resolution through structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, root cause analysis, corrective action)
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of quality standards, processes, and best practices applicable across business units
• Support configuration management activities by reviewing engineering change orders (ECOs) and assessing quality impact of design changes
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in support of program traceability and audit readiness

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a quality engineering role within aerospace, defense, or a similarly regulated industry
• Demonstrated experience performing engineering drawing reviews with proficiency in GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Hands-on experience developing Inspection Plans and FMEAs in a hardware development environment
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability and Inspectability (DFMI) principles and their application during design phases
• Experience participating in formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, or equivalent) in a quality capacity
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and aerospace quality standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001)
• Ability to read, interpret, and provide feedback on engineering drawings, models, and specifications
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (M.S.) in Engineering or a related technical field
• Experience supporting quality integration in R&D or early-stage development programs, including prototype and test article hardware
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX/Siemens) for drawing and model review
• Experience with statistical analysis tools and quality methodologies such as Six Sigma, SPC, or Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Familiarity with AS9100 certification requirements and quality management system auditing
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent professional certification
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar) for drawing and change management workflows
• Knowledge of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods and their application in inspection planning
• Prior experience working across multiple business units or programs simultaneously, demonstrating adaptability and breadth of quality knowledge
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD quality standards (e.g., NASA-STD-8739 series, MIL-SPEC, or equivalent)

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.