Manager - AL Test Operations Maintenance

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! 

As part of a hardworking team of technicians and engineers, you will help keep a rocket engine test stand well maintained. This role specializes in the maintenance that takes place on the test stand with as minimal disruption as possible to the actual test operation. In this role you will be responsible for leading a team of technicians as well as test engineers to perform system maintenance. Our team will ensure we have a robust Preventative Maintenance (PM) program that supports the health of the test stand, as well as flexibility to rapidly drive root cause focused solutions with emergent repairs.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time
• This role is 1st shift, with occasional off-hour support duties

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

• Lead the team in the safe execution of cryogenic and high pressure gas system maintenance, electrical and data system maintenance, as well as structural maintenance.
• Be the focal to drive a strong data driven, and planned preventive maintenance program.
• Perform root cause analysis and/or improvement projects to implement corrective actions or efficiency gains to address technical and safety related issues.
• Develop repair schedules and deliver on test asset recovery efforts due to unplanned downtime.
• Advocate for appropriate and effective downtime to ensure high reliability of the test stand.
• Organize resources both internal and external to your direct team to deliver on cost, quality, and schedule for all phases of maintaining test stand assets.
• Maintain employee training and development records.
• Lead labor and non-labor budget planning and execution.
• Prepare quantitative strategic plans to ensure the targets are met, and leverage team skills and capabilities to implement and track progress against the plans.
• Develop the next generation of leaders within the team.
• Participate in and drive root cause analysis within the team.
• Build a data set of team performance and success criteria and KPI’s and execute to them.

• B.S. degree or equivalent experience
• Strong project management, and team leadership
• Experience with cryogenic systems maintenance
• Experience with high pressure pneumatic systems maintenance
• Experience leading a team of engineers and technicians
• Experience developing people and helping them grow their careers
• Outstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Work off-shift, extended hours, and weekends when necessary.
• Driven curiosity for understanding the details of our business and how to optimize it
• Outstanding organizational and analytical skills and a proven track record to drive sophisticated projects with minimal guidance
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Must be eligible to gain access to Redstone Arsenal
• 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

• Advanced degree, certification, and/or training in a directly related field
• Aerospace experience in the testing of flight hardware
• Experience with a data driven maintenance program, and ability to evaluate and analyze data to inform decision making
• Proven experience and successful track record developing/starting new maintenance processes.
• Continuous improvement attitude. Our job is never complete; we are always refining and improving
• Experience in writing procedures, to be used by technicians, to perform the removal, servicing, and installation of fluid components, instrumentation, and control systems requiring preventative maintenance.
• Proficiency in interpreting engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures
• Experience with inventory planning for maintenance purposes.
• Experience with structural maintenance requirements and repairs

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.