Manager Of Final Integration
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.
At Blue Origin, we believe that access to space changes everything — and we're not waiting around for it to happen. We're building it. Right now. In Space Coast, Florida
Project Horizon is our purpose-built upper stage manufacturing facility for New Glenn's GS2 — one of the most ambitious aerospace manufacturing programs in the world. We're standing up a brand-new production system from the ground up, hiring the team that will build it, and delivering our first article unit on a schedule that doesn't have room for hesitation.
The Manager of Final Integration leads the production team responsible for the most visible and consequential step in the entire manufacturing flow — the vertical integration of the complete GS2 upper stage in Horizon's High Bay. Every sub-assembly, every system, every component that has been fabricated, welded, coated, and tested upstream converges in your work center. You are the last production leader to touch the vehicle before it ships.
We're looking for someone who leads with optimism, performs well under pressure, and knows how to bring out the best in the people around them. Someone who is genuinely motivated by the mission, brings strong resolve when the work gets hard, and creates an environment where talented people do the best work of their careers.
Special Mentions
- Relocation provided
- Travel expected up to 10% of the time
- Shifts available: A Shift
- Interviews will include a technical assessment
Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
Production Execution
- Lead all Final Integration production operations in Horizon's High Bay, including vertical stage assembly, systems installation, fluid and avionics integration, and pre-delivery closeouts
- Develop and manage the production schedule to meet first-article build objectives and subsequent rate ramp targets
- Own the production schedule from receipt of upstream sub-assemblies through final stage acceptance and delivery
- Build and execute through full rate production
- Coordinate the convergence of all upstream production flows — tank, engine structure, ISA, skirts, harness, and component assemblies — into a single integrated vehicle build sequence
Bottleneck Ownership
- Identify production bottlenecks and implement capacity, tooling, and process solutions to maintain flow and meet delivery commitments
- Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Test, Facilities, and Advanced Manufacturing teams to introduce new equipment, processes, and production systems into Final Integration operations
- Ensure production readiness of all Final Integration work centers and systems, including planning, validation, and operational handoff
- Manage interface dependencies with upstream production areas to prevent schedule compression at the end of the build flow
Design-to-Production Interface
- Enforce design and interface control baselines to protect schedule, cost, and quality objectives across all integrated systems
- Act as the primary interface between Design Engineering and Production for Final Integration, ensuring system-level manufacturability, configuration control, and smooth design handoffs
- Represent Final Integration production operations in all relevant design reviews through CDR and FDR
- Partner with the ME Manager of Final Integration to translate engineering intent into repeatable, efficient integration procedures
Team Building
- Plan and execute staffing ramp-up to support increasing production rates and facility activations
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of supervisors and production technicians — invest in their growth, recognize their wins, and support them through the hard days
- Establish and maintain standard work, operating procedures, quality gates, and shift structures for all Final Integration work centers
- Set the tone on the floor: optimistic, driven, accountable, and genuinely excited about what we're building together
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline
- 7+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, with at least 3 years in a people management role
- Demonstrated experience leading production of complex structural assemblies — precision mechanical assembly, structural integration, or equivalent processes in a high-consequence manufacturing environment
- Experience standing up or activating a new production work center or manufacturing line
- Proven ability to manage a production schedule and drive daily execution against it in a high-complexity, low-volume environment
- Experience working cross-functionally alongside Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in launch vehicle, spacecraft, or large-scale aerospace vehicle final assembly and integration
- Experience leading vertical integration operations or equivalent large-structure assembly in a high-bay manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with fluid systems installation, avionics harness routing, and mechanical closeout operations on flight hardware
- Experience managing production operations through a first article build in an aerospace or defense program
- Background in lean manufacturing, flow-based production, or takt-time-driven assembly operations
- Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems in a production planning and work order management context
- PMP or equivalent program management certification
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