Manufacturing Engineer I - Early Career
Blue Origin · Van Horn, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Blue Origin (aerospace & defense) in Van Horn, TX. Design, procure, install, and integrate custom manufacturing equipment and tools.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, GD&T, Assembly lines, Tooling
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $79k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 32 live postings that list pay, out of 164 manufacturing engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 163 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$132k, from 32 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 55%
- ✓ Root cause 51%
- New product launch 39%
- Automation 38%
- Lean 38%
- Six Sigma 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for GD&T, Assembly lines, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Blue Origin
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Sanford → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Blue Origin in Van Horn
1 other open role at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Blue Origin.
- Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II · Controls
Full description from Blue OriginAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop manufacturing work instructions to clearly define the following manufacturing process: receiving inspection, fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and refurbishment
- ◆Closely manage cost, quality, build sequence, and schedule of hardware throughout the entire testing and final configuration build process
- ◆Perform engineering drawing and test plan review and provide final approval for manufacturing
- ◆Develop process control measures and evaluation through statistical analysis
- ◆Define and support repair and rework activities with hardware nonconformance
- ◆Perform root cause analyses when non-conformances and escapes are identified and deploy corrective actions
- ◆Design, procure, install, and integrate custom manufacturing equipment and tools
- ◆Interface with internal suppliers to ensure that hardware and equipment is manufactured, processed, packaged, and delivered properly, on time.
- ◆Design proper material handling and packaging to protect hardware throughout the build and test process
- ◆Champion tooling, ergonomics, safety, and quality improvements affiliated with the build and test process
- ◆Streamline testing data collection
- ◆Manage hardware configuration and maintain pedigree throughout the entire build and test process
- ◆Troubleshoot operational and build issues along with other technical and non-technical teammates
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering (other relevant fields may apply) from an accredited university
- ✓0-3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing and/or test environment.
- ✓Must be able to work second shift and have flexibility to move shifts as needed. Open to work extended hours if required.
- ✓Can demonstrate creating English work instructions for technicians and inspectors Solid understanding of engineering fundamentals for mechanical design and manufacturing
- ✓Hands on experience in hardware manufacturing (i.e. cleaning, non-destructive testing methods, tight tolerance assembly, leak testing, final acceptance testing of integrated hardware, and Manufacturing Execution Systems/Software)
- ✓Proven experience and successful track record of completing testing/manufacturing projects
- ✓Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Scheduling, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc)
- ✓Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels of the organization
- ✓Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
- ✓Passion for rockets, space, the team, and our mission is a must!
- ✓Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Extensive prior experience in high-rate assembly lines for aerospace and/or automotive is preferred
- ✓Experience with testing of aerospace components or final assemblies
- ✓Understanding of engineering fundamentals for mechanical design and manufacturing including working knowledge of GD&T.
- ✓Experience w
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.
We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.
As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will prepare engine test hardware for various spaceflight systems on our engine testing program. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of engine testing, from designing manufacturing equipment to supporting engine install and test. You will work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to translate engineering intent, testing requirements, drawings, and configurations into fully functional hardware on time and on budget. You will create work instructions and plans that define the build, install, and maintenance of engine hardware, and will also develop material handling and storage processes. Throughout the manufacturing process, you will also identify, develop, and deploy methods to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequence and schedules. As an integral member of the team, you will work to strengthen the feedback loop between design, build, and test and accelerate the pace of rocket engine development. As a member of small and agile engine test team, your successful contributions in this role will directly support the development, qualification, and flight of Blue Origin’s world-class rocket engines.
We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!
This position is based in Van Horn, TX. Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site offers eligible employees additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance, etc. Eligibility is based on the employee’s ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX.
Shift: 8 days on, 6 days off