Sr. CNC Machinist & Programmer

Application close date:

10/23/2026

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, 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 indi