Director of Manufacturing, Operations & Assembly

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. 

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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