Sr. Automation Controls Engineer
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.Blue Origin's Factory Automation team is part of the Advanced Manufacturing organization within Operations — serving as the in-house automation integrator responsible for designing, building, and deploying the custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production across Blue Origin's manufacturing business units. We build manufacturing capability from the ground up — developing automated solutions that directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin's products across current and future programs.
We are looking for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer who brings deep hands-onexpertisein industrial controls design and automation systems integration — someone who thrives in a build-it-and-commission-it environment, moves with urgency, and takes full technical ownership from concept through production ramp-up. This role goes beyond pure controls engineering: you will drive projects end-to-end, navigating R&D, design, build, installation, and commissioning while coordinating across a broad range of stakeholders and disciplines. You will define control system architectures, set technical standards, and deliver solutions that work in the real world — including challenging product design teams to design for automated manufacturing when requirements complicate scalable automation. A passion for our mission — and for the discipline of building systems that work — is essential.
Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment, providing controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design
Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols
Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems
Develop offline simulations of automated systems — ranging from discrete work cells to fully automated product lines — tovalidatecontrol logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior from concept through final design, including pre-programming and virtual commissioning prior to hardware availability
Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and similar industrial controls programs from scratch
Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems
Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams; provide technical support during system integration and commissioning
Lead factory and site acceptance testing
Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems
Create and deliver controls documentation packages including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field
- Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch — including PLC and HMI programming as core competencies, control system architecture design (network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, multi-platform communication protocols), and broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, material handling systems (gantries, AGVs, conveyors), CNC machine integration, NDT, assembly, testing, and process tools (torque, welding, grinding, or similar)
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings
- Experience with industrial safety system design including functional safety devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits
- 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
- Familiarity with industrial automation and machine safety standards including IEC 61131, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, RIA R15.06, and functional safety standards (IEC 62061 / ISO 13849), including experience conducting or supporting formal risk assessments
- Experienceutilizingindustrial automation simulation software for offline programming, virtual commissioning, and full production line simulation — including tools such as Plant Simulate, Process Simulate, Visual Components,KUKA.Sim,RobotStudio, or similar
- Experience with industrial machine vision systems, including custom application development using platforms such as Cognex — encompassing out-of-the-box configuration, novel programming, and machine learning (ML)-based inspection and guidance solutions
- Experience building,modifying, and troubleshooting electrical control panels
- Experience with electrical design for industrial control systems using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD platforms
- Demonstrated history of delivering custom automated manufacturing systems from concept through production ramp-up
Compensation Range for:
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55Don’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.
Compensation Range for
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55
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 Sr. Automation Controls Engineer at Blue Origin pay?
- The posting lists a range of $198K–$277K per year. Ranges reflect what Blue Origin publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Sr. Automation Controls Engineer role based?
- The role is based in Central Texas.
- What experience does Blue Origin expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a senior-level role, typically 5+ 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.
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