Sr. Manager, Vehicle Avionics - Launch Operations

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

Job Description

This role is part of the Launch Engineering team, providing centralized support to business units with a focus on the design, build, operation, and maintenance of ground systems, test, and launch facilities across multiple locations.

As part of a passionate and accomplished team of experts in Ground and Vehicle Operations, you will lead the Avionics Operations team responsible for launch vehicle avionics integration, testing, troubleshooting, and operational readiness.

This role requires a combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and people management to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient execution of vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch operations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Technical & Operational Leadership

• Lead the team responsible for integration, testing, troubleshooting, and operation of launch vehicle avionics systems, including electrical power, navigation, guidance, and flight control systems.
• Oversee avionics operational readiness and execution during vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch campaigns.
• Collaborate with Avionics Design Engineering, Vehicle Operations, and other functional teams to resolve technical issues and improve system operability.
• Oversee the development, review, and execution of avionics operational procedures and test documentation.
• Lead operational troubleshooting and drive resolution of avionics anomalies, technical issues, and constraints impacting vehicle readiness.
• Support system safety reviews, hazard analyses, and implementation of operational risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency, standardize processes, and enhance system reliability.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Recruit, hire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of avionics operations engineers and technicians.
• Establish clear team objectives, provide regular coaching and performance feedback, and support employee career development.
• Develop and implement structured training plans to strengthen team technical competencies, operational proficiency, and readiness for test and flight operations.
• Establish and drive cross-functional training initiatives to expand team capabilities, promote knowledge sharing, and enable Avionics Operations personnel to train and support other functional teams across Ground and Vehicle Operations.
• Track and assess personnel qualifications, training completion, and crew readiness to support safe and effective test and flight operations.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to ensure consistency in training, qualification, and development across Ground and Vehicle Operations.
• Manage team priorities, resource allocation, and staffing to support operational and program milestones.
• Promote a workplace culture aligned with Blue Origin's guiding principles and ensure adherence to company policies, directives, and procedures.

Planning & Execution

• Coordinate operational schedules, staffing, and resources to support vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch campaign requirements.
• Identify and communicate technical risks, resource constraints, and operational issues to leadership, developing mitigation and recovery plans as needed.
• Support budget development, resource planning, and execution in alignment with the Approved Operating Plan.
• Support operations outside nominal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by test and launch schedules.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace systems integration, testing, or operations involving complex hardware and software systems.
• 2+ years of leadership or management experience, including direct responsibility for personnel and/or technical teams.
• Experience with avionics systems, including electrical power, command and data handling, navigation, guidance, or flight control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate technical activities in an operational environment.
• Experience troubleshooting complex technical systems and driving issues to resolution.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, schedule-driven operational environment.
• Proficiency with management, planning, and reporting tools.
• Ability to support off-shift and weekend operations as required.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft avionics integration, testing, and operations.
• Experience supporting launch vehicle processing, integrated test campaigns, or launch operations.
• Experience leading avionics troubleshooting, anomaly investigations, and corrective actions.
• Familiarity with electrical ground support equipment (EGSE), avionics test systems, and associated operational interfaces.
• Experience developing, reviewing

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.