Principal Reliability Engineer – Maintenance & Ground Systems

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.

As a Principal Reliability Engineer within Operations, you will own reliability for tooling, machinery, and ground systems across Blue Origin. You will set enterprise standards, lead high-severity investigations, and drive cross-functional improvements that increase safety, availability, and lifecycle performance of mission-critical ground assets. Focus areas include fluid/cryogenic, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems; electrical power distribution; controls/PLC/SCADA; cranes and lifting/handling tooling; test stands and other ground support equipment. This role emphasizes design, maintenance, and operations of ground systems and tooling.

Key Responsibilities

· Define and lead the company reliability strategy for ground systems, tooling, and machinery (e.g., RCM, FMECA, FRACAS), ensuring consistent application across sites.

· Establish reliability requirements and acceptance criteria for new and modified ground assets; champion design-for-reliability, maintainability, and accessibility in reviews.

· Lead/support complex root cause investigations for high-priority events; implement durable corrective and preventive actions across design, maintenance plans, procedures, and spares strategies.

· Build and maintain asset criticality frameworks, reliability models, and KPIs (availability, MTBF, MTTR); publish standards, dashboards, and playbooks used enterprise-wide.

· Author/approve maintenance strategies, condition monitoring plans, functional test/verification plans, commissioning/readiness, and reliability growth activities for new assets.

· Partner with Design, Test, Launch Operations, Facilities, EHS, and Supply Chain to prioritize risks and execute improvements; lead cross-functional tiger teams.

· Govern configuration and change control for ground assets; ensure accurate drawings, P&IDs, schematics, and maintenance/operating procedures.

· Mentor engineers and technicians; provide principal-level technical leadership and influence across programs and sites.

· Interface with suppliers on reliability requirements, qualification, and failure analysis; drive supplier corrective actions when needed.

· Ensure compliance with applicable codes/standards and Blue safety policies (e.g., OSHA, ASME, 91-710, and other relevant standards).

Minimum Qualifications

· B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Industrial, or related engineering discipline.

· 10+ years of engineering experience with significant focus on reliability, maintenance, and operations of ground systems, tooling, or industrial assets in complex, safety-critical environments.

· Demonstrated principal-level technical leadership with enterprise or multi-site scope; ability to lead and influence without direct authority.

· Hands-on expertise with reliability and causal analysis methods (FMEA/FMECA, fault tree, 5-Why, Weibull/RCM) and a track record of converting findings into durable improvements.

· Proficiency reading and interpreting P&IDs, electrical one-lines/schematics, and mechanical drawings; strong quantitative/data analysis skills.

· Strong written and verbal communication; ability to earn trust and drive alignment across Operations, Design, Test, and Safety.

· Must be a U.S. person (as defined by ITAR/EAR).

Preferred Qualifications

· M.S. in a relevant engineering discipline.

· Ground systems experience in aerospace or similarly complex operations (cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, hydraulics, power distribution, PLC/SCADA, cranes/lifting devices, test stands, machine tools).

· Experience establishing reliability governance and FRACAS across programs/sites.

· Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring experience (e.g., vibration, thermography, oil analysis, leak detection) and reliability growth/life testing.

· Risk and process safety experience (HAZOP/JHA).

Work Location and Travel

· On-site in Merritt Island, FL.

· Travel up to 25% to Kent, WA; Van Horn, TX; and Huntsville, AL.

· Occasional off-shift or on