Just Getting Started - Systems Engineer II Blue Origin Employee Review

4.0
Nov 8, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

My career has lasted just a few years but I have had the opportunity to work with NASA, a heritage contractor, a university, and another newspace company, none of which can really hold a candle to Blue. This is by far the most interesting place I have worked. Regardless of what happens with NASA or SpaceX, Blue is working on several programs that are absolutely critical to the future of human spaceflight. Programs that I don't see other companies and organizations (including SpaceX) pursuing. Talking to my coworkers who have been here since the beginning of the company, it amazes me how much Blue has been able to reinvent itself over the years. I am confident that despite the current adversity, we will pull through.

Cons

Having infinite money from Jeff does not mean that we have infinite ability to solve our problems. The Kent facility is far past capacity. Right now trying to build BE-4 and New Glenn is like trying to run an auto factory with a high school machine shop. The system is highly stressed as are a lot of the people who work on it. That said, things should drastically improved once production activities are moved to Huntsville and the Cape. In addition to facilities, the company has a hard time with staffing. The recruiting process is excessively tedious compared to most other companies (multiple on site interviews) and there just isn't enough bandwidth to sift through the reems of applications.

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5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

nice people to work with

Cons

n/a just a summer intern

2.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

4 weeks of PTO, good benefits, free drinks and snacks available at all locations.

Cons

Leadership is inconsistent and often incompetent, company is very segmentalized and each group operates to different goals and schedules, poor communication with other parts of the company and with leadership. There is an overarching Yes-men mentality amongst leadership, and they often are just aiming to not be the group to be to blame for delays or failures. Personal growth is limited and widely ranges between different groups, there are areas where people see regular raises and promotions, while the majority seems to be told there are freezes or that they will be put in for next cycle. Pay has fallen behind, in the past they used to pay well and above the industry standard, but have not kept pace. Hours can be very long, again dependent on your group, some people may enjoy things like work from home or flexible schedules, but the majority are asked to work long hours and even support roles that could be remote are forced to be on site, despite a lack of space for the number of employees. I moved desks locations and buildings 6 times in 3 years. Re-orgs happen every 6 months, and create significant instability within the company, but rarely bring positive improvements. Good talent is not rewarded, and leaving quickly.

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