Senior Manager - Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly

Blue Origin Launch Vehicle Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly Team Lead

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.

As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will oversee the manufacturing, assemble, and testing of flight hardware for various spaceflight systems. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of transforming the way rockets are made and operated. If you share our passions and vision, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross-functional teams, are experienced and skilled in several relevant technologies (even if perhaps not in the aerospace industry), continuously seek out opportunities to learn and improve, enjoy occasional travel, and do not allow title or job description to limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, then we would love to hear from you. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.

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!

Responsibilities:

• Build, lead and manage a Launch Vehicle Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly team, including developing resource plans and profiles, authorizing job descriptions, conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations, assigning tasks, and conducting performance reviews.
• Interface with area leadership to prioritize work based on production schedule and organizational goals.
• Ensure product quality and conformance to engineering specifications.
• Develop and implement cost reductions processes and efficiency improvement measures.
• Manage capital & operation budget to ensure timely execution of the Assembly Area start-up and low rate initial production capability
• Implement and refine new manufacturing processes.
• Work with engineering to document and standardize production processes.
• Collaborate with engineering to develop production ready manufacturing approach.
• Review work instructions and provide recommended changes where necessary.
• Assure continued training and skills development to attract, develop, and retain great people.
• Setup new production work areas, including layouts, tooling and equipment setup, etc.
• Assist with transition from development to production by working alongside engineering to successfully transition the product.
• Forecasting and developing recovery plans for constraints critical to vehicle delivery schedule.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement projects for area safety and efficiency.
• Champion and lead improvement teams; manufacturing processes, safety improvements, business processes, production planning, and implement lessons learned and other standards/processes as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or otherwise beneficial to fulfilling the mission and vision.

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Manufacturing, Aerospace, or related engineering field with 5+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing/testing OR a combination of management training with 10+ years of management experience in manufacturing/testing of Launch Vehicles.
• Ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures.
• Champion and lead improvement teams for Engine Assembly manufacturing processes, safety improvements, business processes, production planning, and implement lessons learned and other standards/processes as needed.
• Ability to work effectively with a strong work ethic and close attention to detail in a fast-paced dynamic team environment with rapidly changing roles and responsibilities.
• Computer skills such as Windows, Microsoft Office, MS Project etc.
• Must be able to set a high hiring bar while evaluating and hiring top talent.
• Extremely customer focused with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with teams of diverse skills across large geographic distances.
• A continuous improvement mindset. Our job is never complete; we are always optimizing.
• Work off-shift, extended hours, overtime, and weekends if/when necessary.
• Intense curiosity for understanding the details of our business and how to optimize it.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills and a proven ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight.

Desired:

• 10+ years in a direct supervision/leadership position, working on Launch Vehicle development programs or production lines.
• B.S. degree in aerospace.
• Broad/deep scheduling and planning skillset.
• Experience with large project controls.
• Project planning and Integrated Master Schedules.
• Proficiency with resource loaded schedules using Primavera (P6), Open Plan, or other software.
• Experienced in handling large aerospace components.
• Experienced in a team-based Lean Manufacturing environment.

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.

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.

Blue's Standard Background Check is required for all positions. For certain job profiles, additional background checks may be required, including Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation, and additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for drivers operating 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.

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.

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. 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.