Payload Integration Sr. Manager

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.

Description:

As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will manage the Payload Integration team.  You will share in our team’s impact on all aspects of payload integration and launch site operations, working in close coordination with the Payload Operations and Payload Specialists teams.  As part of Payload Integration, you will work as part of a highly skilled team reporting through Mission Management’s Payload Projects and Integration team.  The position will involve coordination with responsible engineers, systems engineers, safety, mission managers and other launch operations teams to plan and execute launch site operations. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the Payload Integration team and support Payload Operations functions.
• Manage a group of highly skilled engineers to perform integrated payload processing studies and activities in a 100K (ISO-8) class or higher cleanroom.
• Serve as the launch site focal point for spacecraft interface requirements (IRD, ICD, etc.) evaluation.
• Perform thorough technical assessments of proposed internal and external payload interface requirements to understand impacts to the launch site.
• Direct hands-on assembly, integration, and testing of payload fairings, adapters, spacecraft, and related flight hardware. This includes interfacing with structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
• Capture and implement launch system upgrades and changes to support mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, thermal, and shock environments, as well as contamination and communication requirements for a board variety of spacecraft types.
• Work closely with engineers, mission managers, and customers to define payload integration processes for payload processing and mission unique hardware.
• Administer Payload Integration budgets and resources.
• Support Sales, Engineering, and other Mission Management teams to generate proposals and requirement verification planning for primary and secondary payloads (co-manifested or rideshare payloads).
• Develop and maintain payload integration and processing schedules.
• Manage and coordinate daily integrated payload processing schedules and provide inputs to the New Glenn integrated master schedule to aid in establishing operational priorities.
• Participate in development and implementation of mission unique solutions to payload process requirements.
• Participate in launch countdown, monitoring various interface airborne and ground systems supporting the spacecraft.
• Prepare and present operations and test data to internal & external engineering teams.

• Represent Payload Integration in multi-discipline meetings and reviews with both internal and external customers.
• Support major milestone reviews such as FMDRs, LRRs, FRRs, post flight data reviews, and any other reviews as needed to support pre/post flight activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, physics, aerospace engineering or another related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of direct/specialized launch site payload operations / integration experience in large payload integration and/or the development of payload operations requirements.
• A minimum of 3 years of manager experience, or direct lead experience with daily managerial responsibilities including work scope definition, directing a team, regular team member tag ups, hosting team meetings, and regular reporting out to leadership and teams. 
• Experience with payload operations, integration, payload fairings, adapters, payload separation systems, and match-mates (fit-checks).
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, customer relation skills, and presentation skills are required.
• Must have direct Experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Experience with project management / scheduling experience (MS Project, Primavera P6).
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to develop and manage several tasks and schedules simultaneously.
• Must be able to travel to other Blue Origin offices, customer facilities, and alternate launch sites.
• Must be able to work all shifts and be able to work overtime and weekends as needed to support test or launch campaign timelines.

• Highly detail oriented, diligent, hard working with excellent interpersonal skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with industry and USG safety requirements including AFMAN 91-710.
• Familiarity with Beyond Gravity (formerly; RUAG) Payload Separation System Certification.
• Hands-on experience with ordnance handling, checkout installation, and electrical connections.

• Experience planning and conducting spacecraft launch preparations.
• Experience with systems engineering and requirements management tools such as DOOR Next Gen and JAMA.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of Space Force and BATF explosives regulations.
• Knowledge of 49 CFR and 40 CFR.
• Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Outlook).

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, 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.