Sr. Director of Manufacturing Operations Engines

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.

You will join a skilled team responsible for rocket engine production serving customers. Reporting directly to the Engines VP, you will oversee an Engine Production group. The Sr Director leads Senior Managers, whose teams manage daily rocket engine production at Huntsville. This hands-on, influential role calls for outstanding leadership, strong communication, careful judgment, knowledge of mid-rate production, and solid project management expertise. This job will play a vital role in space exploration history and demands your dedication and meticulous focus on safe, repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities include but are not limited:

• Coordinate activities related to factory design, equipment identification, equipment procurement, production readiness, production start-up, and transition into low-rate initial production.
• Collaborate with the leadership group at our current (Kent, WA) site to grasp existing production processes and convert these strengths into the new manufacturing facility.
• Collaborate with the Huntsville Site Leader and Engines Program Management for communications and support involving both internal and external customers.
• Champion and lead improvement teams for manufacturing processes, business processes, production planning, and implement lessons learned and other standards/processes as needed.
• Manage the Production capital project portfolio and ensure timely execution of projects to support corporate Annual Operating Plans.
• Participate in the preventive action process and implement plans as required.
• Communicate and enforce mission assurance and safety principles throughout the organization.
• Find opportunities for safety improvements, cost savings, and other means to accelerate progress.
• Coordinate and complete site level initiatives with other members of the Huntsville Senior Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree or equivalent experience in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering. M.S. is preferred and MBA or equivalent experience is a plus.
• 15+ years’ experience in aerospace or a closely related industry, such as launch vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, excavation/heavy hauling, mining, energy, or shipbuilding.
• Experience managing customer relations and expectations.
• Prior experience managing Profit and Loss at a program or project level.
• Proven ability in project coordination, budget oversight, and guiding teams.
• Experience leading and managing small- to medium-sized teams on fast-paced projects.
• Technical expertise in managing medium rate production activities.
• Experience in process definition, development, deployment, and improvement.
• Strong quality outlook with special attention to safety and critically important quality aspects as well as application of root cause analysis tools.
• Strong personnel management and mentoring skills.
• Strong safety approach and experience, including hands-on experience planning and conducting critical operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Toyota Production System. Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• Experience simultaneously managing activities in multiple departments or sites.
• Experience transitioning products from development to production.
• Knowledge of fabrication processes, integration processes, systems engineering practices, test, quality, and configuration management systems.
• Experience managing facility level capital improvements.
• Experience with new process development.
• Experience in staffing and launching a new production facility.

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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