Manufacturing Engineer III – Mechanical Systems

About this role

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!   

As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, Honeybee Robotics has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. Our Colorado location specializes in creating advanced motion control solutions for NASA, defense, and commercial programs. Our work has played a critical role in thousands of projects, spanning from conceptual design studies to flight missions, including NASA's Artemis I Mission and the Roman Space Telescope. We are seeking technically brilliant individuals who are passionate about their work, thrive in collaborative environments, and have a laser focus on the details that drive excellence.

Honeybee Robotics, a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years. Our Colorado-based Motion Control Business Unit designs, manufactures, and tests high-performance motion control components and integrated solutions — from actuators and gearboxes to motors and precision control systems — for NASA, defense, and commercial programs, including NASA's Artemis I Mission and the Roman Space Telescope.  

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced  Manufacturing & Tooling Development Engineer III  to lead the design, development, and validation of assembly tooling, fixtures, and aids supporting the build and integration of complex precision mechanical assemblies. You will serve as the technical authority for assembly tooling and fixturing across the product lifecycle — from early design engagement through production implementation — driving build quality, assembly repeatability, and schedule performance in support of high-volume production for   TeraWave   motion control products.  

Responsibilities  

Assembly Tooling & Fixture Design  

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of assembly fixtures, build aids, handling fixtures, installation tools, and torque tooling for complex precision mechanical assemblies including actuators, gearboxes, motors, and integrated motion control units  

• Define assembly fixture requirements based on component geometry, assembly sequence, interface constraints, and production rate needs; generate complete tooling design packages including 3D models, detailed drawings, BOMs, and acceptance criteria  

• Apply sound locating, clamping, and datum referencing principles to ensure assembly fixtures deliver repeatable, process-capable builds across production volumes and operator skill levels  

• Design tooling solutions that support manual, semi-automated, and potentially robotic assembly operations, including part presentation fixtures, press and insertion aids, alignment fixtures, and subassembly holding fixtures  

• Design handling and transportation fixtures to protect sensitive assemblies and subassemblies during build and inspection operations  

• Evaluate and select tooling materials, coatings, and construction methods appropriate for the expected wear life, assembly environment, and production cycle requirements  

Tooling Validation & Qualification  

• Develop and execute formal assembly tooling validation plans, including dimensional verification, fit checks, assembly runoff studies, and repeatability assessments prior to production release  

• Define and document acceptance criteria for new and modified assembly tooling; generate tooling qualification reports summarizing validation results and production readiness disposition  

• Collaborate with quality engineering to ensure assembly fixtures and gauging solutions are metrologically sound and support traceability to inspection and assembly requirements  

• Perform or support first article build events using new tooling to verify that fixtures achieve intended assembly outcomes before full production release  

• Identify and resolve assembly tooling nonconformances, wear patterns, or repeatability issues encountered during production; implement corrective actions and document lessons learned  

GD&T & Drawing Review  

• Review engineering drawings and 3D models for GD&T compliance per ASME Y14.5, with particular emphasis on datum selection, feature control frame applicability, and tolerancing strategies as they relate to assembly fixture design and build process requirements  

• Advise design engineers on datum structure and tolerancing strategies that support practical, cost-effective assembly fixture and gauging solutions, and ensure that critical assembly interfaces are   toleranced   to achieve functional fit and performance requirements  

• Identify drawing ambiguities, tolerance conflicts, or features that create undue assembly tooling complexity or build variation risk; initiate formal drawing change requests in collaboration with design engineering  

• Apply tolerance stack-up analysis (1D/2D/3D) to validate fixture locating schemes, critical assembly interfaces, and predict assembly process capability prior to tooling fabrication  

• Ensure that assembly-level drawings and interface control documents clearly and unambiguously define the requirements necessary to guide tooling design and build process planning  

Design for Assembly (DFA)  

• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, production readiness reviews) as the assembly tooling and build process subject matter expert, providing early input on assembly sequences, interface features, and tolerances that drive tooling complexity, operator ergonomics, or build risk  

• Review engineering drawings and 3D models for assembly feasibility, providing formal DFA feedback to design engineering teams focused on accessibility, clear

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