Engineer III, Make-Buy Optimization (MBO) in Huntsville, Alabama at Blue Origin

Title: Engineer III, Make-Buy Optimization (MBO)

Location: Huntsville, AL

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R59697

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.

The Make-Buy Optimization (MBO) organization is responsible for developing and executing the strategy behind how the company decides what to manufacture internally versus what to source externally — and where and when those decisions are made. As a program-embedded Engineer III, you will serve as the dedicated MBWWH resource for an assigned program, working directly alongside engineering and program teams to drive timely, data-driven sourcing decisions.

This role requires a strong engineering foundation. You will engage credibly with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and program leaders — evaluating internal fabrication capabilities and supplier options through a technical lens. Your work directly influences program affordability, schedule, and supply chain resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed make-buy-where-when-how (MBWWH) analyses for assigned program parts, assemblies, and manufacturing processes
• Evaluate internal manufacturing capabilities against external supplier options, considering technical readiness, cost, schedule, and risk
• Build cost models and scenario analyses to support sourcing recommendations
• Identify, track, and resolve incomplete or missing make/buy designations within the assigned program's bill of materials
• Serve as the embedded MBWW representative for your assigned program, participating in design reviews and program milestone meetings
• Partner with Design, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering teams to assess producibility and design-to-cost opportunities that influence make vs. buy decisions
• Engage with engineering and program leadership as a technically credible peer — translating complex trade-offs into clear, data-backed recommendations
• Develop well-documented decision packages with clear assumptions, risk assessments, and sourcing recommendations
• Track and report on decision status, open items, and trends on a weekly basis
• Collaborate with Procurement, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Operations, and Finance to validate assumptions used in analyses
• Support continuous improvement of MBWW tools, templates, and analytical workflows

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering — engineering degree is required; this role interfaces daily with technical engineering teams
• 3–5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, systems engineering, supply chain engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, structures, composites, propulsion, or avionics integration
• Demonstrated ability to perform quantitative trade-off analyses involving cost, schedule, technical risk, and operational factors
• Comfortable engaging directly with engineers and program leaders — able to present technical recommendations and defend analytical conclusions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — able to produce clear, concise decision packages for leadership consumption
• Proficiency in Excel or similar tools for data analysis, cost modeling, and reporting

Preferred

• Experience in a program-embedded supply chain, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering role
• Familiarity with launch vehicle or spacecraft development programs, including transition from development to production
• Experience with make-buy analysis, strategic sourcing, or supplier evaluation in an aerospace or defense environment
• Proficiency with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Smartsheet
• Exposure to MRL/TRL frameworks, manufacturing readiness assessments, or rate maturity evaluations
• Familiarity with Integrated Product Teams and program milestone review processes (PDR, CDR, PRR)

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.