Operations Sr. Manager – Manufacturing Engineering, Lunar Transporter

Senior Manager

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 seeking a Senior Manager to lead a high-performing team of managers and manufacturing engineers, supporting advanced aerospace manufacturing programs at Blue Origin. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the design, development, and implementation of innovative manufacturing processes, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across multiple projects. Success in this role requires technical expertise, strong leadership, and a commitment to quality as you collaborate across integrated product teams—including engineering, quality, tooling, logistics, and operations.

Position Specific Details:

• Shift: Mon-Fri (8am-5pm)
• Location: Space Coast, FL
• Relocation: Available
• Potential travel up to 10% of the time for training and other support activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of managers and engineers responsible for production of the Lunar Transporter vehicle and subcomponents.
• Build a team of top talent manufacturing engineering, enabling a transformational and flexible organization to take on challenges as they arise.
• Lead the team through design development within the Lunar IPTs, Build & Flow, process, and manufacturing development needs.
• Aid the Operations Leadership team in facilitating effective decision-making on complicated scenarios that will have a significant major effect on the vehicle.
• Provide effective, efficient, focused, and adaptive decision-making in a high-velocity, intense aerospace environment.
• Lead the development of fabrication specifications, acceptance & test plans, maintenance plans, and Statements of Work.
• Support requirements generation within the IPT, along with establishing and supporting Interface Control Models (ICMs).
• Support design trades with the IPTs to enable efficient design for manufacturing and operations.
• Responsible for Identifying and developing critical manufacturing processes & steps required for the assembly, integration, and testing of the Lunar Transporter.

Team Focus & Domain Expertise:

We are seeking a Senior Manager to lead a dedicated team of managers and manufacturing engineers for the Lunar Transporter program—an integral part of Blue Origin's return to the lunar surface. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the design, development, and implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, driving operational excellence and continuous innovation in support of human spaceflight. You will lead efforts to develop and refine manufacturing systems, apply design for manufacturability principles, manage tooling strategies, generate work instructions, and configure optimal work cells to maximize efficiency. Close collaboration across integrated product teams—including engineering, quality, tooling, logistics, and operations—will be essential as you guide your team in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in mechanical, structural, civil, or aerospace engineering w/ 8+ years of manufacturing experience from an accredited university.
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience, with demonstrated expertise in hardware assembly, integration, instrumentation, testing, fabrication, and machining.
• Hands-on experience with Design for Manufacturing/Integration (DFM/DFI) principles, configuration and requirements management, and risk management processes.
• Previous involvement in New Product Introduction (NPI) or transition-to-production within aerospace or high-reliability environments.
• Familiarity with AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality and safety standards.
• Proven ability to foster effective relationships, drive team performance, and deliver results in a collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency with standard business and project management software (e.g., MS Office, MS Project, MS Visio, Jira, Confluence).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering, business, or project management.
• 8+ years of experience in an operations environment.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred).
• PMP certification and experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
• Hands-on experience with human-rated aerospace vehicles and hazardous operations.
• Proven track record working with diverse hardware, including multi-component/system assembly, bonding/adhesives, machining, composite fabrication, and electrical components.
• Extensive experience throughout the full product life cycle of spacecraft, launch vehicles, or high-performance aircraft systems.

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.
• 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.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation:

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.</