Supplier Development & Qualification Engineer III – Avionics, Communications, Solar

BLUE ORIGIN

. Own technical onboarding and qualification of suppliers across the four-gate pathway, from capability survey through first article approval and rate readiness .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeHuntsville • Alabama • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $112,059 - $156,883 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in supplier development and qualification processes, with a strong focus on technical assessments, compliance with specifications, and supplier quality improvement. Proficient in collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams and managing supplier relationships to ensure high-reliability hardware performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Supplier DevelopmentTechnical Capability AssessmentSupplier Quality ImprovementExperience with AS9100 SystemsAbility to Read Specifications

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Supplier QualificationManufacturing EngineeringQuality EngineeringElectronics EngineeringEnvironmental QualificationSatellite Program ExperienceRF Test FamiliarityElectro-Optical SensorsWiring Diagrams InterpretationContamination-Sensitive Build

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationTechnical Translation

Industry Keywords

High-Reliability EnvironmentAS9100First-Article InspectionITAR/EAR FamiliarityRadiation Hardness AssuranceCleanroom OperationsElectro-Optical HardwareGNSS/GPS ReceiversThermal Vacuum TestingVibration and Shock Testing

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own technical onboarding and qualification of suppliers across the four-gate pathway, from capability survey through first article approval and rate readiness
Build onboarding and qualification plans with milestones, acceptance gates, and go/no-go criteria; initiate qualifications ahead of demand
Conduct facility and technical capability assessments, including process control, test capability, workforce competency, and scalability
Review supplier qualification and acceptance data and disposition findings against Blue’s requirements
Assess qualification by similarity, flight heritage, and delta-qualification needs
Define acceptance criteria for test fixtures, ESD-controlled packaging, and contamination- and moisture-sensitive hardware
Design and run supplier development programs, including design-to-manufacture workshops and yield and capacity improvement initiatives
Drive improvements in supplier quality, delivery performance, and technical maturity
Expand the qualified supply base and mature qualification criteria, gate frameworks, and standard work
Build technical content for executable bid packages, including performance and process requirements, qualification and acceptance test requirements, workmanship callouts, and data deliverables
Partner with Commodity Managers on technical flowdowns, supplier capability benchmarks, and source selection
Provide technical grounding for make/buy and second-source trade analysis
Partner with Avionics, GNC, Communications, and Power/Solar engineering teams from design through production release
Represent supply chain in design reviews and engineering change processes
Read and interpret interface control documents, performance specifications, schematics, and wiring/harness diagrams
Identify producibility and specification gaps early
Feed supplier readiness status and emerging risks to Supply Chain Program Managers
Travel regularly to supplier sites and own qualification outcomes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
4+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, supply chain engineering, quality engineering, or component engineering supporting electronic, RF, electro-optical, or solar hardware in a production or high-reliability environment
Experience on satellite, in-space vehicle, or constellation programs, including rate ramp on supplier-designed units
Experience reviewing supplier qualification and acceptance documentation and identifying non-compliances against requirements
Experience conducting supplier facility and capability assessments
Ability to read and interpret specifications, interface control documents, schematics, and wiring diagrams
Working familiarity with environmental qualification of electronic hardware, including thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration and shock, and EMI/EMC
Familiarity with AS9100 supplier quality systems and AS9102 first-article inspection
Strong written and verbal communication; ability to translate technical findings into clear commercial and programmatic language
Willingness to travel approximately 25% domestically and internationally for supplier assessments and qualification events
U.S. citizenship or nationality, U.S. permanent residency, or lawful admission to the U.S. as a refugee or asylee
Ability to pass Blue’s Standard Background Check
Preferred: hands-on experience with inertial or electro-optical sensors, GNSS/GPS receivers, RF and microwave hardware, or solar cells and array laminates
Preferred: space-flight hardware experience, radiation hardness assurance, TID and single-event effects screening, and radiation lot acceptance testing
Preferred: RF test familiarity, including VNA verification, insertion loss and VSWR, passive intermodulation, and multipaction
Preferred: solar-specific experience, including triple-junction cell and CIC processes, panel lay-up and laminate qualification, AM0/LAPSS testing, and BOL/EOL performance
Preferred: contamination-sensitive build, cleanroom operations, outgassing, and optical handling
Preferred: workmanship standards for harnesses and unit internals
Preferred: EEE parts engineering, screening levels, derating, lot traceability, and counterfeit avoidance
Preferred: ITAR/EAR familiarity, including USML Category XV hardware
Preferred: Master's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical field

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Potential benefits and bonuses based on role type, job level, individual contributions, and company results