Fabrication Director -Multi Mission Operations

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.

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.

We are seeking an experienced metals fabrication operations leader to scale our metals fabrication capabilities and plan and execute for the future. You will own end-to-end metals fabrication execution—from new product introduction through high-rate production—setting standards, building high-performing teams, and driving continuous improvement in safety, reliability, and efficiency across all of Blue Origin's products and programs.

You will lead multidisciplinary technician and engineering teams across machining, welding, sheet metal, forming, heat treat, and related fabrication disciplines. You will serve as a key interface to program leadership and executive stakeholders, driving equipment qualifications, material approvals, and production readiness for flight hardware. This is a hands-on position that requires the ability to communicate the vision, strategy, and tactical application of cost-effective strategies and key deliverables.

This role directly impacts the history of space exploration and will require dedication, high judgment, and meticulous attention to safe, repeatable human and payload spaceflight operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Champion safety always and first-time quality across all functions while growing and developing your team at all levels
• Oversee integrated planning and scheduling across multiple metals fabrication shops; resolve conflicts and drive decisions that balance safety, schedule, and cost
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) activities for metals fabrication, including process development, equipment qualification, material validation, and production ramp
• Establish and maintain equipment and material qualifications in accordance with aerospace standards (AS9100, Nadcap) and customer requirements; own qualification plans, process validations, and continuous compliance
• Define and maintain the metals fabrication team operating model, including org structure, staffing, interfaces, and standards across all fabrication disciplines
• Build, lead, and develop a multi-level team (managers, shift leads, engineers, technicians) including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, and succession planning
• Set and enforce standards for operations products (concepts of operations, procedures, checklists, timelines, work instructions), maintaining configuration control and alignment with engineering, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Partner with engineering on design for manufacturability (DFM) and early product development to optimize fabrication processes and ensure producibility
• Serve as senior operations authority in readiness reviews and go/no-go forums, clearly communicating risks, mitigations, and readiness to leadership and customers
• Partner with engineering, supply chain, and operations to solve complex integration challenges and support cross-program fabrication needs
• Drive operational excellence and Lean improvements to increase throughput, reduce turnaround time and rework, and improve reliability while maintaining safety and quality
• Establish, track, and act on key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., schedule adherence, first-pass yield, anomaly rates, safety performance, asset utilization) to guide priorities and investments
• Ensure robust hazard identification and mitigation by partnering with Safety and Engineering on system and process hazard analyses, driving closure of corrective and preventive actions
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders—including programs, functions, and suppliers—to align concepts of operations, schedules, and risk posture

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, operations, or related technical field; or equivalent hands-on experience in complex aerospace or industrial operations
• 10+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders and multidisciplinary operations teams in an aerospace or other complex manufacturing environment
• Direct experience in metals fabrication operations (e.g., machining, welding, sheet metal, forming, heat treat) with proven ability to scale capacity and capability
• Experience leading new product introduction (NPI) in a metals fabrication environment, including transitioning designs from development through production readiness
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining equipment and material qualifications, including qualification plans, process validations, first article inspections, and ongoing compliance
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives that improved operational performance (e.g., cycle time, throughput, reliability, cost) while maintaining or improving safety and quality
• Experience establishing and managing operations schedules and integrated resource plans using tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent
• Proven ability to make sound, time-critical decisions under pressure during real-time operations, with clear communication of intent and rationale
• Experience defining and using metrics and KPIs for operations performance management and continuous improvement
• Track record of effective collaboration with engineering, safety, program management, facilities, supply chain, and external partners
• Proficiency with standard office and operations software and ability to quickly learn new planning, data, and analytics tools
• Willing and able to support non-standard hours (nights, weekends, holidays, on-call)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with aerospace metals and advanced fabrication processes (e.g., aluminum, titanium, Inconel, stainless steel; precision machining, TIG/MIG welding, friction stir welding, orbital welding, electron beam welding)
• Track record of qualifying new fabrication equipment and establishing validated manufacturing processes to meet aerospace quality standards (AS9100, Nadcap, or similar)
• Experience with material and process specifications, test protocols, destructive and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods, and approval processes for flight hardware
• Familiarity with special processes (welding, heat treat, NDT) and maintaining qualified personnel, procedures, and equipment
• Demonstrated application of Lean and continuous improvement principles in operations, including tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, and visual management
• Experience deploying strategy and objectives through structured frameworks (e.g., Hoshin, OKRs, Balanced Scorecard) in an operations organization
• Experience using ERP/MRP and/or maintenance management systems to drive planning, asset readiness, and performance management
• Experience managing capital equipment procurement, installation, and production validation
• Background in liquid rocket engine, launch vehicle, or spacecraft fabrication

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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