Manager - Engines Integrated Hardware in the Loop and Research/Development Labs

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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 the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

As the functional manager of the Engine Specialty Engineering and Infrastructure (ESEI) – Infrastructure team, you will oversee the Blue Engines Integrated Hardware in the Loop (BE-IHIL) Lab, the Valves and Mechanisms (V&M) Development Lab, the Combustion Devices (CD) Lab and any future development spaces to support Blue Engines. You will lead a multidisciplinary group of electrical and mechanical engineers in designing, developing, and operating world class engine component test and integration facilities. You will balance hands-on technical leadership with people management, setting the technical direction for the team, developing your engineers, driving execution, and serving as the primary interface between your team and program leadership.

This is a technical management role and is not a purely administrative management position. You will be expected to maintain meaningful technical engagement with the work your team produces, provide engineering judgment on critical design decisions, and be a credible technical voice with stakeholders across the program.

Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Set and maintain the scope and definition of the BE-IHIL, Valves & Mechanisms (V&M), and Turbomachinery (TM)/Combustion Devices (CD) Development Labs, aligning their goals and capabilities with the needs of Engines customers.

• Serve as technical authority for the BE-IHIL, V&M and CD Labs, providing guidance and judgment on complex design challenges.

• Establish and maintain mechanical and electrical design standards, analysis methods, and best practices for the team.

• Review and approve critical design packages, engineering drawings, lab policies, and test plans.

• Drive design reviews at key project milestones; ensure all team deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, and specifications.

People Leadership

• Directly manage a team of engineers and technicians supporting the BE-IHIL, V&M, and CD Labs.

• Recruit, hire, and onboard engineering talent, actively build and maintain a strong team pipeline.

• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development conversations, identify skill gaps and develop targeted growth plans for all direct reports.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and safety-first team culture consistent with Blue Origin's values.

Program Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Own team deliverables, manage scope, schedule, budget, and technical quality across multiple concurrent test stations, identify and communicate risks early and drive mitigation plans.

• Oversee external design and fabrication partners, ensure technical compliance, quality, and schedule adherence through the full project lifecycle including fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing & activation.

• Interface with program managers, systems engineers, operations leads to align on priorities and ensure test station capability is aligned with program goals.

• Represent the large mechanisms team in program-level reviews, technical interchange meetings, and leadership forums, contribute to budget, headcount planning, and resource allocation in coordination with senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree, or higher, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent

• 4+ years relevant experience.

• Knowledge and strong fundamentals in project management approaches and techniques

• Previous experience with aerospace control systems

• Experience leading and running small teams on fast-paced projects with little direction and under minimal supervision

• Risk management, configuration management, requirements development, and verification planning

• 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.

Desired:

• Master's Degree (M.S.) or higher in aerospace, systems engineering, business, or a related field

• Direct management or team/technical leadership experience

• Technical expertise within one of the following areas: Hydraulic Actuators, Lab Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Systems, Avionics, Electric Actuator Control, Engine/Assembly Test

• Experience developing aerospace products from the concept phase through new product introduction

• First principles design knowledge of Hydraulic and Electrical actuation systems

• Experience building or scaling engineering teams in a fast-paced aerospace or industrial environment.

Compensation range for on site WA applicants is

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $150,743.00 - $211,039.50

Other site ranges may differ

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, 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 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. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

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.