CNC Programmer - A shift
Blue Origin · Huntsville, AL
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Experience asked
- 15+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at Blue Origin (aerospace & defense) in Huntsville, AL. Quality & Production Support.
- They ask for
- 15+ years
- Tools it names
- GD&T, CNC, Machining, Tooling, CATIA / NX
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$91k.
Median of the low and high ends of 50 live postings that list pay, out of 825 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 14 other live manufacturing postings in Alabama.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (15+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 73%
- ✓ CNC 60%
- ✓ Machining 60%
- Team leadership 40%
- Lean 27%
- Root cause 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 7 people at this company and state: 7 in this kind of role. 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 Henrique → (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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Huntsville
27 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in manufacturing roles at Blue Origin.
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- Business Operational Excellence, Director · Lean / CI · Director+
- Sr. Industrial Engineer-Blue Ring · Industrial · Senior
- Engineer - Manufacturing Optimization II · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer- Engines Friday-Sunday 5:00 am - 5:30 pm · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer – Blue Ring Cable Harness Shop III · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from Blue OriginAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Manufacturing Strategy Development
- ◆Transform engineering designs into comprehensive machining strategies
- ◆Optimize production processes for Mills, Lathes, Multi-Axis Mills/Lathes, and VTLs
- ◆Provide critical design-for-manufacturing feedback to engineering teams
- ◆Programming & Technical Leadership
- ◆Develop, edit, and optimize CNC programs for complex aerospace components
- ◆Design custom tooling and fixtures for specialized applications
- ◆Create detailed set-up documentation and technical instructions
- ◆Implement process improvements for both machining operations and workflows
- ◆Quality & Production Support
- ◆Maintain rigorous configuration control for all manufacturing documentation
- ◆Troubleshoot manufacturing discrepancies and implement solutions
- ◆Support make-buy decisions with accurate machine time estimates
- ◆Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards and specifications
Qualifications
- ✓Passion for Blue Origin's mission of enabling millions of people living and working in space
- ✓15+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience
- ✓10+ years in CNC programming with NX/UG or MasterCam
- ✓5+ years experience machining hardened metals and working with nickel-based alloys and aluminum
- ✓Expert-level blueprint reading skills including GD&T per ASME Y14.5M-1994 standard
- ✓Proven experience with tooling/fixture design and optimization
- ✓Strong skills in determining optimal cutting parameters and cutter selection
- ✓Excellent communication and documentation abilities
- ✓Self-motivated with strong prioritization skills to meet project deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience with NX CAM software
- ✓Experience with Vericut or similar simulation/verification software
- ✓Expertise with exotic materials including nickel-based alloys, copper, and titanium
- ✓CMM programming and operation experience
- ✓CNC machine setup and operation capabilities
- ✓Ability to support off-shift operations when required
- ✓Experience operating heavy lifting equipment around flight critical hardware
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.
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
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 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 a Level III CNC Programmer, you will apply your advanced technical expertise in manufacturing to produce flight-critical machined components for space systems. You'll leverage your extensive experience in CNC programming and operation to develop optimal machining strategies, create efficient programs, and solve complex manufacturing challenges for aerospace hardware.
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
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.