Title: CNC Machinist & Programmer III

Location: Huntsville, AL

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R65216

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.

This role is a foundational member of the machining team for a new advanced hardware program at Blue Origin. The successful candidate will set up, operate, and optimize multi-axis CNC equipment to produce high-precision components for rotating machinery, heat exchangers, and structural assemblies. This includes 5-axis milling, CNC turning, grinding, and EDM operations on materials including nickel superalloys, stainless steels, and specialty alloys. As an early hire, this machinist will go beyond running parts — they will provide direct machinability feedback to the design engineering team, influence tolerancing and feature geometry before designs freeze, and play a key role in evaluating and selecting the CNC machines that will form the long-term production equipment plan. This is a development environment where the right candidate will shape the machining strategy from the ground up.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Setting up and operating multi-axis CNC milling machines (3-axis through 5-axis) to produce precision components per engineering drawings and process plans

• Setting up and operating CNC lathes and turning centers for precision shaft, housing, and case machining

• Interpreting engineering drawings with complex GD&T requirements and planning machining sequences to achieve specified tolerances

• Providing machinability feedback directly to design engineering — advising on tolerancing, feature accessibility, fixturing constraints, and material selection to improve producibility before designs freeze

• Evaluating and recommending CNC machines for the long-term production equipment plan — assessing machine tool capability, work envelope, accuracy, and throughput against program requirements

• Performing first-article machining for new part numbers — optimizing feeds, speeds, tool paths, and fixturing for challenging materials and geometries

• Performing in-process measurement using precision instruments (CMM, micrometers, bore gauges, surface profilometers) and making offset adjustments to maintain tolerance

• Supporting post-processing of additively manufactured parts including finish machining of AM-printed components to final dimensions

• Maintaining tooling inventories, performing tool life management, and recommending tool selection for new applications

• Documenting machining results, tool life data, and process parameters for production knowledge capture

• Supporting process qualification and capability studies (Cp/Cpk) for critical dimensions

• Maintaining equipment through basic preventive maintenance and identifying issues requiring maintenance support

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED; associate degree in machining technology or equivalent technical training preferred

• 15+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience in an aerospace environment

• 7+ years of experience working with multi-axis lathes and high-speed 5-axis mills producing complex parts with tight tolerances

• 7+ years of experience machining hardened metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, and high-temperature superalloys

• Extensive experience with CNC controls including Mazak, Okuma, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Siemens, or equivalent platforms

• Excellent blueprint reading skills including GD&T per ASME Y14.5; ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures

• CAM software experience, preferably Siemens NX

• Proficiency with precision measurement instruments (micrometers, bore gauges, indicators, CMM operation, surface profilometers)

• Ability to work effectively with close attention to detail in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment with rapidly changing roles and responsibilities

• A continuous improvement mindset — our job is never complete; we are always optimizing

• Extremely customer focused with strong verbal and written communication skills

• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with teams of multiple skills across large geographic distances

• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills and a proven ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with turbomachinery components made from nickel-based alloys, stainless steel, copper, or titanium

• Tooling and fixture design experience — ability to concept and specify workholding for complex geometries

• Experience operating heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and forklifts around flight-critical hardware

• Outside processing knowledge (heat treat, plating, coating, EDM, grinding, etc.)

• Experience with post-processing of additive manufactured parts (finish machining AM components)

• Experience with 5-axis simultaneous machining (DMG Mori, Hermle, Mikron, or similar)

• Experience evaluating and selecting CNC machine tools for production — vendor assessment, capability studies, and factory acceptance testing

• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems

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.