Sr Manager - Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly

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.

This role is responsible for leading the test engineering team for test execution in support of New Glenn at the Orbital Launch Site in Merritt Island, FL. The Manager is a leader of a passionate team of engineers who perform test planning, procedure development, test execution and a variety of other test operations in support of space flight. The Manager works closely with all Blue Origin business units developing tests to prove vehicle systems operate as expected on Blue Origin vehicles and in space assets. The Manager integrates with Operations senior leaders and support organizations to plan, prepare, and conduct test operations safely and efficiently. The Manager is responsible for effectively planning and managing capital, overhead, and labor budgets, and managing capital improvement projects. Effective communications and long-term planning are vital to a successful Manager. Growing a passionate and technically able team to overcome any issues in an efficient manner is necessary for success of Blue Origin refurbishment test team effort.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Refurbishment efforts at the Integration Facility, Fabrication building, and the new refurbishment building coming online. This will oversee the refurbishment efforts side of the Production Test efforts listed within the remaining responsibilities.
• Manage personnel at Blue Origin Rocket Park Production Facility to include recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent by following and developing performance management processes.
• Create and establish clear and concise process plans to develop schedules and optimize Testing procedures and requirements, ensuring alignment with overall project goals and timelines.
• Thoroughly understand and interpret requirements to support effective test operations, ensuring all tests meet specified standards and objectives.
• Determine and allocate necessary resources – including personnel, equipment, and materials – to support all phases of product lifecycle, maximizing efficiency and productivity.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale.
• Manage Blue Origin GSE and Test Equipment, ensuring their capability and readiness is established to always support engineering needs.
• Be an exemplar of Blue Leadership Principles, focusing on demonstrating operational excellence.
• Be the focal point for all test engineering stakeholder teams and coordinate daily and weekly test plans.
• Support testing as required, adjusting your schedule to support testing and maximize efficiency
• Demonstrate high standards in test operations and work cooperatively with a varying team of Integration Technicians, Design Engineers, Test and Flight Ops counterparts, Quality Specialists, and other stakeholders to ensure requirements are met.
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of test status and initiatives to help communicate inwards and outwards across the organization.
• Prepare quantitative strategic plans to ensure the targets are met, and leverage team skills and capabilities to implement and track progress against the plans.
• Lead capital, overhead, and labor budget planning and execution.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree in engineering or related field
• Previous experience with refurbishment testing requirement creation, operations, maintenance and testing authoring/safe execution of testing.
• Previous experience testing an previously launched and landed test configuration in a safe, controlled manner.
• 7+ years in an operations environment in large industry, petrochemical, or aerospace facilities
• Strong background in fluids or avionics engineering and/or testing
• Outstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Demonstrated habitual drive to correct errors at their root and not pass them downstream
• Demonstrated effectiveness in setting high standards of performance and holding teams accountable
• Demonstrated effectiveness in implementing continuous improvement to improve processes, methods and practices
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict-resolution and an ability to bring a group to a decision

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience as manager of an engineering team in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing, integration, or other relevant field
• Experience working on fluid systems
• Demonstrated technical expertise in space vehicle qualification testing.
• Knowledge of fabrication and integration processes, systems engineering and quality control practices.
• MS in engineering or PMP certifications
• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies and tools (e.g., CAD software, ERP systems).
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance in aerospace manufacturing.
• Proven track record of successful team leadership and project management.
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and practices.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.  
• Willingness to work overtime.  

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.