Director of Technology, VAST

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.

Blue Origin is building a road to space so our children can build the future. We are seeking a Director of Technology to lead technology development of the VAST organization (responsible for the design, development, qualification, and production support of high-performance valves, actuators, quick disconnects, and umbilical panels). This team also owns our Materials & Processes (M&P) function, technology development engineers, and manufacturing specialists. In partnership with the New Glenn program team, this leader will drive both rapid response to critical issues and long-range technology roadmaps that continuously improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. This role will require 10-20% travel to supplier, test, and launch facilities.
 

In this role, you will

• Set the technical vision and multi‑year roadmap for valves, actuators, QDs, umbilical panels, and enabling materials/manufacturing technologies aligned to New Glenn program needs and enterprise strategy.
• Serve as the technical authority for the product family: define standards, architectures, design practices, qualification strategies, and acceptance criteria for safety critical flight and ground hardware.
• Lead and develop a high-performing organization spanning M&P, technology development, and manufacturing specialists; attract, grow, and retain top talent; build succession plans.
• Own end-to-end lifecycle accountability from concept and requirements through detailed design, analysis, test, certification, production ramp, field support, and continuous improvement.
• Drive short term, high urgency problem solving (e.g., test escapes, build stoppages, launch site issues) using disciplined engineering methods: RCAs, DFMEA/PFMEA, FRACAS, corrective/preventive actions.
• Build long term capability through technology maturation (TRL), prototyping, qualification campaigns, and insertion plans; derisk future architectures with early test and analysis.
• Interface with the New Glenn program team and customers: manage requirements and ICDs, changes, technical baseline, risk, and deliverables; represent the organization in design/production readiness reviews.
• Partner cross-functionally with Systems, Avionics, GSE, Test, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure robust system integration, manufacturability, and launch/mission readiness.
• Oversee materials and processes stewardship: selection and qualification, coatings, seals, contamination control, NDE, failure analysis, and special processes compliance.
• Advance manufacturing excellence: process development, machining and assembly standards, cleanliness, torque/seal practices, pneumatics/hydraulics test methods, design for manufacturability and reliability.
• Establish engineering and production metrics; use data to drive reliability growth, cycle-time reduction, and cost improvements while meeting safety and compliance requirements.
• Ensure configuration management, PLM rigor, and change control; chair or contribute to CCB/MRB as needed.
• Champion Blue’s culture of safety, quality, inclusion, and mission focus.
   

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Materials, or related engineering field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience delivering complex, safety critical hardware for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or analogous high reliability industries.
• 5+ years of technical leadership managing multi‑disciplinary engineering teams and organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in fluid system components and mechanisms (e.g., cryogenic/HP valves, electromechanical/hydraulic actuators, QDs, umbilical panels) from design through qualification and production.
• Strong systems engineering background: requirements flow down, interface control, verification/validation, hazards analysis, and reliability engineering.
• Proven track record managing urgent issue resolution and driving sustained continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with cryogenic propellants, high pressure gases, contamination control, leak/flow testing, and environmental qualification (vibe, thermal, EMC).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to influence across program, supply chain, test, and operations.

 

Base Pay Range for:

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.

• 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.