Software Engineer, Motion Controls & Manufacturing Automation
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.We are seeking a Software Engineer to design, build, and control custom manufacturing hardware supporting Blue Origin's advanced metal additive manufacturing processes — including the design and development of custom machine tools and its motion control system. This is a hands-on role spanning software architecture, embedded systems, motion control, and CAD/CAM integration, all in service of enabling reliable, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing for safe human spaceflight.
You'll work at the intersection of machine design, controls, and software — writing the code that drives physical hardware to produce precision geometry, while also building the broader data and automation infrastructure that connects machine-level execution to facility-level manufacturing decisions.
- Develop C++ software for 2D/3D path/geometry generation to drive machine motion and produce target part geometry
- Design, build, and integrate the motion control system for a custom metal 3D printer machine, including electromechanical subsystem selection, wiring, and software-driven control
- Develop software to control manufacturing processes at both the machine level (real-time motion, sensing, actuation) and facility level (workflow orchestration, data routing)
- Architect and implement embedded system software for data acquisition and control hardware, ensuring reliable, deterministic performance
- Build automated data integrations/workflows so manufacturing engineers, design engineers, and facility operators have timely access to relevant process data
- Identify and drive opportunities for improved reliability, efficiency, and automation across manufacturing processes — own the technical architecture and roadmap
- Identify and close gaps in available manufacturing data to support better engineering and operational decisions
- Conduct code reviews and architectural reviews; maintain code quality and documentation standards
- Plan and implement unit/integration tests; maintain CI/CD pipelines for manufacturing software
- BS in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of industry experience in C++ software development, ideally with exposure to motion control, robotics, or CNC/additive manufacturing systems
- Experience designing or integrating motion control hardware (servo/stepper drives, motion controllers, encoders) for custom machines
- Experience programming data acquisition and control systems. interfacing with industrial hardware (PLCs, NI hardware, or similar)
- Strong systems-level thinking — able to bridge mechanical/electrical hardware design with software architecture
- Strong collaboration skills in a multi-disciplinary, multi-developer environment
- Experience with toolpath and trajectory generation
- 8+ years of experience in aerospace, robotics, or advanced manufacturing
- Hands-on experience building custom machines/hardware from concept through commissioning
- Experience with additive manufacturing processes (metal AM, DED, etc.)
- Proficiency in Python and/or LabVIEW for test/automation tooling
- Demonstrated experience integrating AI/LLMs into engineering workflows
- Interfacing with industrial hardware (PLCs, NI hardware, or similar)
- Experience with geometry/path generation for machine motion (toolpathing, slicing, or similar)
- Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software integration (COTS and/or custom tools)
Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80Don’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.
Description
- BS in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of industry experience in C++ software development, ideally with exposure to motion control, robotics, or CNC/additive manufacturing systems
- Experience designing or integrating motion control hardware (servo/stepper drives, motion controllers, encoders) for custom machines
- Experience programming data acquisition and control systems. interfacing with industrial hardware (PLCs, NI hardware, or similar)
- Strong systems-level thinking — able to bridge mechanical/electrical hardware design with software architecture
- Strong collaboration skills in a multi-disciplinary, multi-developer environment
Base Pay Range for
WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80
Other site ranges may differ
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.
- How much does the Software Engineer, Motion Controls & Manufacturing Automation at Blue Origin pay?
- The posting lists a range of $165K–$231K per year. Ranges reflect what Blue Origin publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Software Engineer, Motion Controls & Manufacturing Automation role based?
- The role is based in Greater Seattle Area.
- What experience does Blue Origin expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a lead-level role, typically 7+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Blue Origin's Workday careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.