Director of Manufacturing, Operations & Assembly

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 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.

About Blue Origin

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. These positions will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

We are looking for senior leaders 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.

About This Opportunity

Blue Origin is actively building its senior manufacturing and operations leadership team across multiple sites. We are seeking experienced Directors and Senior Directors with a strong aerospace background to lead high-performing teams in support of rocket engine and spacecraft production programs.

By expressing interest in this opportunity, you will be considered for current and future openings aligned to your experience and location preference. Roles span the following functional areas:

Manufacturing 

Provides senior leadership across production operations including assembly, machine shop, heat treat, welding, and component fabrication for space systems and propulsion programs. Accountable for establishing and maintaining process controls, driving production efficiency, and ensuring safe, repeatable spaceflight hardware delivery at all stages of the product lifecycle.

Test

 Provides leadership across test operations supporting engine, component, and system-level testing. Accountable for ensuring test processes are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with program requirements. Drives continuous improvement in test throughput, first-time quality, and the feedback loop between test results and production processes.

Fabrication

 Provides leadership across fabrication operations including machining, welding, composites, additive manufacturing, cleaning, and post-processing of flight hardware. Accountable for the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of fabrication processes and capabilities that meet the demanding quality and schedule requirements of space and propulsion programs.

Integration 

Provides leadership across integration operations supporting the assembly and verification of complex space systems, launch vehicles, and propulsion hardware. Accountable for coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure the safe, on-time integration of hardware in alignment with engineering requirements, mission assurance standards, and program milestones.

Key Responsibilities:

Leaders across these functional areas are expected to:

• Lead and develop teams of Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors driving manufacturing and operations execution across space and propulsion programs

• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all functional teams

• Own departmental KPIs, budgets, staffing plans, and capital project portfolios

• Partner with Program Management, Site Leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to meet production schedules and customer expectations

• Drive process definition, development, deployment, and improvement initiatives including Lean Manufacturing and root cause analysis

• Collaborate with engineering teams to advance Design for Manufacturability principles and accelerate the transition from development to production

• Implement and mature production frameworks that support world-class manufacturing capabilities

• Communicate and enforce mission assurance and safety principles throughout the organization

• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor talent at all levels of the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience

• 15 or more years of progressive experience in aerospace manufacturing or a closely related industry, such as launch vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft systems, or defense

• 5 or more years in a senior leadership role managing managers and large, cross-functional teams

• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing and operations teams in fast-paced, complex environments

• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and capital projects at a department or program level

• Strong quality mindset with expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies

• Experience with process definition, development, deployment, measurement, and continuous improvement

• Effective communicator across all levels of an organization, including executive leadership

• 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:

• Master's degree, MBA, or advanced degree in a relevant engineering or business field

• Prior experience in aerospace environments supporting space hardware, rocket propulsion, or other mission-critical, high-value components

• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, or Six Sigma; Black Belt certification preferred

• Experience transitioning manufacturing capabilities from development and prototyping into full-rate production

• Knowledge of fabrication processes including machining, welding, composites, additive manufacturing, cleaning, and non-destructive testing

• Experience with facility activation, new production line startup, or multi-site manufacturing operations

• Proficiency with MRP/ERP, PLM, and Manufacturing Execution Systems

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30

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.