Lab Manager - New Glenn Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

We are a dynamic team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a dynamic and hardworking team, you will lead a group of technicians and specialists to build, integrate, test, operate, and maintain the New Glenn Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) labs.

In this role, you will be responsible for recruiting and retaining skilled technical personnel, delivering semi-annual performance reviews, and providing substantive coaching and mentoring that enables genuine career development for each team member. A critical element of this role is deep personal technical competency. The NG HIL labs integrate complex electrical, avionics, and software systems. The lab manager must be able to understand the team's work, independently assess proposed approaches, recognize technical challenges, and engage hands-on to help resolve issues.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate with internal customers to plan, schedule, allocate resources, and execute integrated testing operations in the HIL.
• Develop training requirements and ensure that personnel are properly trained for HIL operations.
• Oversee procurement of lab material, tools and test equipment, coordinate facilities upgrades and maintenance, and ensure calibrated equipment is maintained in an active calibrated state.
• Drive a culture of Safety in the lab, ensuring that personnel and visitors are properly trained and have the appropriate tools and equipment to operate safely.
• Fully understand, scope, assign, and track technical work to ensure every team member has a full, prioritized workload, and that project milestones are delivered on time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or a closely related discipline) with 5+ years of hands-on experience in the operation, maintenance, or test of complex electrical, avionics, or electromechanical systems; OR 5+ years of direct hands-on experience as an electrical technician working on complex systems, with demonstrated ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, perform component-level troubleshooting, and diagnose system-level failures.
• 3+ years of people management experience of a team of 5 or more direct reports with responsibility for the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding, daily management, career development, performance management, and terminations. (Note: Lead, team lead, and supervisor roles without this formal authority do not satisfy this requirement.)
• Demonstrated ability to personally perform troubleshooting and causal analysis on electrical and systems-level faults and help drive corrective action back into engineering products.
• Proven ability to build, motivate, and retain a high-performing team of technicians, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
• A proven ability to foster a culture of safety, open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within a technical or laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with industry safety programs (e.g., Lock Out/Tag Out) and harness/wiring standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, communicate clearly across organizational boundaries, and represent the team to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office (particularly Excel).
• 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

• Experience in a flight hardware, aerospace test, or safety-critical laboratory environment.
• Hands-on experience with avionics, GNC, propulsion, or integrated vehicle systems.
• Familiarity with Atlassian/Jira, Tableau, or Primavera P6 for task planning and tracking.
• Familiarity with PTC Creo and Windchill for drawing release.
• Experience with work order management systems or labor tracking tools.
• Demonstrated experience with or a strong interest in leveraging AI tools and automation to enhance team productivity and streamline lab operations.

 

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $150,743.00 - $211,039.50

Other site ranges may differ

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.