Automation Controls Engineer III at Blue Origin in Huntsville, AL

Automation Controls Engineer III Location: Huntsville, AL 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. Automation Controls Engineer About This Role 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. This team's focus is on advancing automation within an existing production facility — developing and integrating automated solutions that improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of active manufacturing operations, and directly drive the delivery of Blue Origin's products. We are looking for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer who brings solid hands-on expertise in industrial controls design and automation systems integration — someone who is equally comfortable writing PLC logic and reading an electrical schematic, and who takes full ownership of their work from initial concept through commissioning and production support. This role is grounded in the fundamentals of controls engineering: you will design, develop, and deploy industrial control systems for custom automated manufacturing equipment, collaborate across mechanical and applications engineering disciplines, and apply both industry and internal Factory Automation standards to deliver solutions that work in the real world. Familiarity with mechanical systems and mechatronics principles is a plus — but your foundation is in controls and electrical. A passion for our mission — and for the discipline of building systems that work — is essential. Responsibilities Lead the development of new automated manufacturing systems from scratch — owning projects end-to-end from intake and proposal, through concepting, detailed design, installation, and commissioning, with high emphasis on design execution and commissioning rigor Design and develop PLC, HMI, and robot programs for custom automated manufacturing systems from scratch, including ladder logic, structured text, and function block programming, using platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, KUKA, or equivalent Design industrial control system architectures including network topology, power distribution, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols for bespoke automation equipment Perform electrical design and modification of industrial control and safety systems using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent, including panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and I/O schematics Develop offline simulations of automated processes, systems, and production lines to validate control logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior prior to hardware availability — using tools such as Process Simulate, Visual Components, KUKA.Sim, Fanuc Roboguide, or similar Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and process tools — such as torque tools, machine vision systems, NDT equipment, welding systems, and metrology tools — into unified control systems Connect and integrate manufacturing equipment to existing SCADA and data collection infrastructure, ensuring proper data visibility and system interoperability Apply both industry and internal Factory Automation standards for hardware, software, and programming to ensure consistent, maintainable, and compliant system designs Engage internal customers and cross-functional stakeholders to define, document, and validate system requirements; communicate project status, technical decisions, and design intent clearly across engineering, operations, and management audiences Lead Design for Manufacturability and Design for Automated Manufacturing initiatives — collaborating with product design and manufacturing engineering teams to identify features that complicate automation and recommend modifications that improve manufacturability, reduce system complexity, and enable scalable production Collaborate with applications and mechanical engineers during conceptual and detailed design phases, providing controls architecture input and feedback Create and maintain controls documentation packages — including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation — and manage deliverables under configuration management practices to ensure revision control and traceability throughout the project lifecycle Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree or higherin Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field Minimum 4 years of hands-on experiencedesigning, developing, and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch — with PLC, HMI, and robot programming as core competencies, including demonstrated experience across industrial automation platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, KUKA, or equivalent Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical drawings, including panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and I/O schematics Experience with industrial safety system design, including safety-rated devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits in compliance with applicable machine safety standards 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 Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with industrial automation and machine safety standards including IEC 61131, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, NFPA 70 (NEC), and RIA R15.06, including experience conducting or supporting formal risk assessments Experience with offline programming and virtual commissioning using industrial simulation tools such as Process Simulate, Visual Components, KUKA.Sim, Fanuc Roboguide, or similar Experience building, modifying, and troubleshooting electrical control panels, including hands-on electrical verification of machines and systems Experience with electrical design for industrial control systems using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD platforms Proficiency in a high-level programming language such as Python or C# for automation support applications, data processing, or controls integration Familiarity with mechatronics principles and mechanical systems — including the ability to interpret mechanical drawings and collaborate effectively with mechanical engineers on integrated automation equipment Experience with industrial machine vision systems, including application configuration or custom development using platforms such as Cognex or similar 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. 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 (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL 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 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. Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here. Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.