Director of Manufacturing, Operations & 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.We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. These positions will directlyimpactthe history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. 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 tobenefitEarth.
We are looking for senior leaders to apply their technicalexpertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positivelyimpactsafe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision isrequired.
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Blue Origin is actively building its senior manufacturing and operations leadership team across multiple sites. We are seeking experienced Directors and Senior Directors with a strong aerospace background to lead high-performing teams in support of rocket engine and spacecraft production programs.
By expressing interest in this opportunity, you will be considered for current and future openings aligned to your experience and location preference. Roles span the following functional areas:
Provides senior leadership across production operations including assembly, machine shop, heat treat, welding, andcomponentfabrication for space systems and propulsion programs. Accountable forestablishingand maintaining process controls, driving production efficiency, and ensuring safe, repeatable spaceflight hardware delivery at all stages of the product lifecycle.
Provides leadership across test operations supporting engine,component, and system-level testing. Accountable for ensuring test processes are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with program requirements. Drives continuous improvement in test throughput, first-time quality, and the feedback loop between test results and production processes.
Provides leadership across fabrication operations including machining, welding, composites, additive manufacturing, cleaning, and post-processing of flight hardware. Accountable for the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of fabrication processes and capabilities that meet the demanding quality and schedule requirements of space and propulsion programs.
Provides leadership across integration operations supporting the assembly and verification of complex space systems, launch vehicles, and propulsion hardware. Accountable for coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure the safe, on-time integration of hardware in alignment with engineering requirements, mission assurance standards, and program milestones.
Leaders across these functional areas are expected to:
Lead and develop teams ofManagers,Senior Managers, and Directorsdriving manufacturing and operations execution across space and propulsion programs
Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all functional teams
Own departmental KPIs, budgets, staffing plans, and capital project portfolios
Partner with Program Management, Site Leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to meet production schedules and customer expectations
Drive process definition, development, deployment, and improvement initiatives including Lean Manufacturing and root cause analysis
Collaborate with engineering teams to advance Design for Manufacturability principles and accelerate the transition from development to production
Implement and mature production frameworks that support world-class manufacturing capabilities
Communicate and enforce mission assurance and safety principles throughout the organization
Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor talent at all levels of the organization
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
15 or more years of progressive experience in aerospace manufacturing or a closely related industry, such as launch vehicles,aircraft, spacecraft systems, or defense
5 or more years in a senior leadership role managing managers and large, cross-functional teams
Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing and operations teams in fast-paced, complex environments
Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and capital projects at a department or program level
Strong quality mindset withexpertisein root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
Experience with process definition, development, deployment, measurement, and continuous improvement
Effective communicator across all levels of an organization, including executive leadership
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
Master's degree, MBA, or advanced degree in a relevant engineering or business field
Prior experience in aerospace environments supporting space hardware, rocket propulsion, or other mission-critical, high-value components
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, or Six Sigma; Black Belt certification preferred
Experience transitioning manufacturing capabilities from development and prototyping into full-rate production
Knowledge of fabrication processes including machining, welding, composites, additive manufacturing, cleaning, and non-destructive testing
Experience with facility activation, new production line startup, or multi-site manufacturing operations
Proficiencywith MRP/ERP, PLM, and Manufacturing Execution Systems
Compensation Range for:
WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30Don’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.
Description
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 15 or more years of progressive experience in aerospace manufacturing or a closely related industry, such as launch vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft systems, or defense
- 5 or more years in a senior leadership role managing managers and large, cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing and operations teams in fast-paced, complex environments
- Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and capital projects at a department or program level
- Strong quality mindset with expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
- Experience with process definition, development, deployment, measurement, and continuous improvement
- Effective communicator across all levels of an organization, including executive leadership
- 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
Compensation Range for
WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30
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.
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