Director, Engine Processing

Description: 

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety and operational excellence. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your focused dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. 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. 

The Director, Engine Processing role ileads the team responsible for all of the engines and thrusters tested by Blue Origin, at all of our locations. The Director is a leader of a diverse and passionate team of engineers and technicians who maintain, modify, and lead all of our development and production engines and thrusters from their completion on the production line to delivery to our customers. 

The Director is a senior leader within the Test Operations organization, setting the vision and long-term strategy for the Engine Processing team. The Director works closely with all Blue Origin business units in ensuring the engines are delivered when needed, in the correct configuration, and to the highest level of quality safely and efficiently. This role involves effectively planning and leading all aspects of capital, overhead and labor budgets, and leading capital improvement projects. Effective communications and long term planning are vital to a successful Director.  

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and strong dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead multiple teams responsible for management, maintenance, and modifications for all engines and thrusters 

• Establish and maintain processes and systems for optimizing and ensuring quality of all work performed on engines 

• Collaborate with internal customers to provide engines in required timeline and performing any changes or maintenance work required 

• Drive the measurement, analysis, reporting, and improvement of each team’s performance 

• Instill a culture of continuous improvement through finding opportunities, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to increase efficiency and quality 

• Own all critical metrics associated with engine processing, including continually improving performance  

• Define, lead, and monitor budget and schedule for team operation and engine deliveries 

• Lead and mentor leaders within the team  

• Continuously ensure safety of all team members and flight hardware, driving a strong safety culture 

• Responsible for teams located at Launch Site One in Van Horn, TX, Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. AL, and the Air Force Research Lab in Rosamond, CA 

Qualifications: 

• BS in engineering, manufacturing, or 8+ years of equivalent leadership experience in manufacturing, maintenance, or testing of complex systems 

• 5+ years of experience in personnel leadership and/or management 

• 6+ years of experience leading budgets, projects, and/or programs of growing complexity and scope  

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace maintenance, testing, or manufacture; or similarly complex industries like oil & gas or automotive 

• Highly self-motivated, organized, and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work 

• Strong bias for action and a proven track record delivering results 

• Understanding and utilization of production scheduling, MRP/ERP systems 

• Adept in process definition, development, deployment, measurement, and improvement 

• Practiced with job-hazard analysis and other safety analysis practices 

• Skilled in customer relations and expectation management 

• Familiarity with standard methodologies and tools related to manufacturing drawings, work orders, inventory systems, production control 

• 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. 

• Must be eligible and able to gain access to Redstone Arsenal 

Desired: 

• Master's degree, MBA, or a degree in aerospace manufacturing or related field is a plus 

• Experience with rocket engine manufacture and testing 

• Knowledge of systems engineering standard processes 

• Knowledge of production control practices and methodologies 

• Working knowledge of AS9100 and quality control processes 

• Hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations in a safe and effective manner 

• Experienced with the design, analysis, qualification, and production of manufactured components for space applications