Director, New Glenn Test & Operations Integration

Application close date:

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 is a high-impact, high-visibility leadership position supporting New Glenn, Blue Origin's heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle, with additional support for our Lunar Lander programs. As Director of GS1 Operational Integrators, you will lead a large-scale testing and operations integration organization through a period of rapid growth and unprecedented operaational tempo.

This role is not for everyone. We need a proven leader who thrives in high-pressure, high-volume aerospace testing environments and can scale operations while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety. You'll report directly to senior leadership, support 24/7 test operations, and lead ~90 engineers (fluid systems, avionics, structural testing) with 9 direct reports and 230 dotted-line reports. The pace is relentless, the stakes are high, and your decisions will directly impact human spaceflight history.

• 24/7 test operations across multiple facilities with constant escalations and bottlenecks
• Rapid scaling - we're building multiple facilities and dramatically increasing test volume
• High-stakes environment - supporting both new vehicle testing and New Glenn Stage 1 refurbishment operations
• Intense schedule - expect long hours and frequent senior leadership reviews until we reach operational rate
• Broad scope - from anomaly investigations to facility standup, from safety reviews to mission-critical testing
• Senior exposure - weekly engagement with executive leadership team on program performance
• Minimal onboarding - you need to hit the ground running with limited training time

• Lead ~90 testing and operations integration engineers across fluid systems, avionics, and structural testing disciplines
• Manage 9 direct reports including senior managers, managers, TPMs, schedulers, and vehicle integration managers
• Establish operational structure, priorities, and goals for a rapidly scaling organization
• Ensure your team has the equipment, resources, and support needed to execute safely and efficiently
• Mentor and develop engineering talent in a fast-paced, high-consequence environment

• Own the comprehensive operations approach for New Glenn Stage 1 Reusable Launch Vehicle including pre-launch, boost, landing, and recovery phases
• Lead engineering teams responsible for developing operational requirements, system redlines, timeline/CONOPS databooks, Launch Commit Criteria, and Required Equipment Lists
• Oversee testing across high-pressure fluid systems, high-voltage electrical systems, and structural test programs
• Support New Glenn refurbishment operations and establish maintainability/serviceability standards
• Provide real-time support to integrated tests and launch operations
• Lead anomaly investigations and drive corrective actions to closure

• Serve as primary technical interface between design engineering, systems engineering, and operations teams
• Champion safety-first culture - ensuring we never compromise safety in pursuit of schedule
• Understand and communicate hazards associated with high-pressure, high-voltage, and structural testing
• Review and approve operating requirements, procedures, scripts, and displays across all vehicle subsystems
• Lead design integration trade studies considering operational impacts throughout the mission lifecycle
• Manage technical risk and support chief engineer office with engineering change requests and design reviews

• Work closely with Mission Operations to ensure operational readiness
• Coordinate with multiple facilities and support teams to eliminate bottlenecks
• Execute complex trades and analyses to support programmatic decision-making
• Document and manage critical performance and requirements interfaces across the system
• Establish need-dates and hold teams accountable to commitments

• 10+ years in aerospace or rocket testing with hands-on experience in high-pressure systems, high-voltage systems, structural testing, fluid systems, and/or avionics systems
• Proven ability to scale testing operations - experience leading large-volume test programs in aerospace, launch vehicles, or similarly regulated industries (nuclear acceptable)
• 5+ years managing technical teams with demonstrated success leading 50+ engineers
• Strong safety mindset - deep understanding that pushing too hard in high-consequence testing environments puts people at risk
• Take-charge leadership - ability to make decisions, drive progress, and lead in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments
• B.S. in Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline

• Expert knowledge of systems engineering practices and integration processes for mission/safety-critical systems
• Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft design, testing, and operations
• Background in anomaly investigation and root cause analysis
• Strong systems test and analysis background
• Ability to operate in partially defined requirements with changing criteria

• Self-directed with ability to balance competing priorities and manage constant demands
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for senior leadership engagement
• Proven ability to mentor and develop engineers
• Thrives in high-pressure, high-visibility environments
• Comfortable with intense schedules during critical scaling phase

• M.S. or higher in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Hands-on experience maintaining/servicing launch vehicles or spacecraft
• Experience with rapid facility standup and commissioning
• Familiarity with Primavera P6 or similar scheduling tools
• Background supporting 24/7 operations in aerospace manufacturing or test environments
• Experience in organizations undergoing rapid growth and scaling

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.