Sr. Technical Project Manager, Ground System Test Engineering and Development

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 diverse engineers, project managers, and specialists, you will play a central role in building the infrastructure that makes Blue Origin's boldest missions possible. As the accountable project lead for ground system development and production fluid system projects at Blue Origin's Florida Orbital Launch Site (OLS) and manufacturing facilities, you will drive the full project lifecycle — from initial capability definition through design, build, and activation — bringing together mechanical/fluids engineering, construction, DSCE, software, CAD drafting, Facilities, Finance, Supply Chain, and Safety teams into a cohesive execution machine. The systems you deliver will directly enable Blue Origin's engine, vehicle, and launch programs to achieve their test and operational objectives. If you thrive at the intersection of technical complexity and project leadership and want to see your work become physical infrastructure that launches rockets, this is the role for you.

• Relocation provided

• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

• Interviews will include a technical assessment

• Own and manage project scope, schedule, budget, risks, technical performance, and change control across the full ground system development lifecycle in accordance with the Ground System Life Cycle Procedure

• Serve as Budget Owner; develop and maintain project budgets in coordination with Finance and Accounting processes.

• Develop right-sized capital project estimates that accurately reflect scope, complexity, and risk; refine estimates through the project lifecycle as design matures and scope is better defined

• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, work breakdown structures (WBS), milestone schedules, and resource plans; anticipate and minimize bottlenecks and schedule risks across concurrent projects

• Act as primary project contact for internal business unit customers (New Glenn, Lunar, Engines, Test Operations); establish and manage key stakeholder requirements and project objectives

• Coordinate with Construction Project Managers to define work packages, procure necessary resources, and maintain construction schedules; engage Supply Chain and external vendors as required

• Apply engineering and technical judgment to evaluate design trades, assess technical risks, and support sound decision-making throughout the project lifecycle

• Engage Technical Evaluation Chairs (TEC) and support checkpoint reviews including SRR, IDR, FDR, and Pre-Activation Review (PAR).

• Track and report project performance metrics; identify issues early and develop recovery plans; communicate status, risks, and decisions clearly to the Sr. Manager and senior leadership

• Manage change control processes for design, scope, budget, and schedule changes in accordance with ground system change management procedures

• Collaborate with DSCE (hardware and software), CAD, Facilities, Safety/EHS, Quality, Finance and Supply Chain functional teams to ensure complete and compliant project execution

• Mentor junior project team members; assess team performance and contribute to process improvement efforts within the project management function

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM engineering discipline

• 8+ years of experience with advanced professional expertise managing complex, cross-organizational engineering capital projects.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of concurrent projects with independent schedules, budgets, and stakeholders with no oversight required

• Experience as Budget Owner with delegated cost approval authority on capital or engineering projects

• Track record of leading anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and recovery plan development on project execution issues

• Experience coordinating across multiple functional engineering and support organizations (e.g., design, construction, procurement, safety, facilities) to deliver integrated systems

• Proficiency in project management tools and methods in accordance with PMBOK or equivalent industry standards

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to serve as primary project contact with both technical teams and senior business unit leadership

• Demonstrated ability to mentor others and assess team performance in a project management context

• 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

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

• Experience managing ground system, test facility, or launch site development projects in an aerospace or industrial environment

• Working knowledge of high-pressure and/or cryogenic fluid systems sufficient to evaluate technical risks, assess design trades, and communicate with engineering teams

• Familiarity with ground system lifecycle processes including HAZOP/PHA, PSM requirements, Pre-Activation Reviews, and configuration management

• Experience with construction project coordination, subcontract management, and capital project execution

• Familiarity with Blue Origin or similar aerospace ground system development processes and documentation standards (P&IDs, system flow diagrams, HAZOPs, BOM structures)

• Experience supporting or leading checkpoint reviews (SRR, IDR, FDR, PAR) for engineering or test facility programs

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.