Director of System Design, Assembly, Integration, and Test (SDAT), New Glenn

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.

As part of a small team, you will make direct contributions to the design, development, and operations of the New Glenn Launch Vehicle. We are looking for someone to join our team and apply their expertise, leadership, and commitment to positively progress our vision for safe and routine spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

The Director of Systems Design, Assembly, and Test (SDAT) for the New Glenn Launch System Architecture team is responsible for building and leading a dynamic team that performs system architecture development, configuration engineering, and functional integration spanning all aspects of the program including ground, flight, marine, and space. Building and managing your team’s execution of configuration development for the integrated launch vehicle and integrated launch system in a fast-paced environment is your main area of responsibility. Our team supports all program phases including concept, design, build, test, transportation, launch, and recovery. The capability of finding the right balance of rigor and speed to implement Launch System architecture and integration work is paramount in this role.

The SDAT team consists of system (flight and ground) integration engineers and Concept of Operations (CONOPS) engineers. You will manage your team as we act across the business developing integrated solutions to achieve our vision of “millions of people living and working in space.”

Additionally, the role requires understanding and supporting engineering practices such as configuration management, interface control documents and interface control models, requirements analysis and traceability, risk management, and system product life cycle processes.  The role also requires knowledge and experience in detailed system architecture trade studies to define optimal solutions to meet the overall system performance (cost, flight rate, production rate, operations, etc.) and business goals as part of early architecture concept development for future launch system architectures and elements.

Another key integration activity of this role is to manage the New Glenn process for presenting ideas, proposals, and plans to Blue Origin executive leadership.  This activity will coordinate across all elements of the New Glenn program and across all Blue Origin business units, requiring critical teambuilding, influence, communication, and executive presence abilities.

Are you interested in solving difficult problems while working with top notch talent on a project that is meaningful?

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or another technical field

• Previously managed an engineering team

• 15+ years of demonstrated ability in development and integration of aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures

• Experience in aerospace vehicle/system configuration trade studies supporting system architecture development, baseline development, and future upgrades

• Proven ability to communicate complex technical and programmatic information clearly and confidently to senior leadership and executive stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and drive alignment across organizations without direct authority

• Enjoys a highly dynamic and fast paced environment

• Possess skills in strategic system thinking, excellent written and oral communication skills, proactive in moving program forward through team collaborations to achieve timely decisions, ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive culture.

​Desired:

• Configuration management and system development/integration experience

• Knowledge of aerospace vehicle fabrication and assembly techniques

• Experience in development, management, control, and documentation of system interfaces between system elements and integration of elements into an integrated system

• Launch vehicle experience

• Test, operations, or mission integration experience

• Experience using Windchill or similar software

• Ability to maintain composure and decisiveness in high-pressure, fast-paced environments with competing priorities

• Ability to build credibility and trust rapidly with teams, peers, and leadership through transparent communication and consistent execution

 

Compensation Range for:

CO applicants is $206,673.00 - $289,342.20 WA applicants is $218,262.00 - $305,566.80

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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