Director - Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly

BLUE ORIGIN•Huntsville, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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 a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. As part of a hardworking, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for the financial and operational execution for our New Glenn high volume fabrication teams at the Explorer Facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This includes leading a skilled, interdisciplinary team responsible for Machining, Fluids Systems Fabrication (Tube and Weld Shops, Subassemblies, Precision Cleaning and Pressure Vessels), Avionics Fabrication (Avionics Processing and Cable Harnesses), Coatings, Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), and Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessels (COPV) in support of orbital launch vehicle production. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires the ability to communicate vision, strategy, and the tactical application of cost-effective practices and key deliverables. You will report directly to the BE-3U Sr. Director of Operations at the Explorer Facility. We are looking for someone to apply their leadership skills, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety and quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Requirements

Proven track record of building or transforming successful production organizations and leading large-scale change management initiatives that shape culture, define tools and processes, and improve competencies.
Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience with an emphasis in Operations Management or Manufacturing Engineering, with a history of progressive responsibility.
10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
Prior experience in a Factory or Plant leadership role required.
Strong working knowledge and applied experience in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
Experience leading, growing, and developing large teams within a multi-business unit, integrated supply chain organization.
Advanced knowledge in designing and building manufacturing, production, assembly, procurement, and logistics systems in a low-volume, high-complexity environment.
Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience challenging the status quo, driving change, and motivating individuals to develop and implement innovative approaches.
Proven success in hiring and developing high-performing teams with diverse skill sets.
Ability to create and manage work cell standard work and effectively track deviations from established standards.
Experience managing capital improvements and facility layout planning.
Highly effective verbal and written communication skills with a strong emphasis on teamwork and internal/external customer satisfaction.
A world-class attitude toward mission assurance, quality, attention to detail, and dedication.
Ability to maintain positive, professional relationships and actively contribute to a culture of trust, respect, inclusion, and integrity.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice To Haves

15+ years of manufacturing experience in aerospace industries such as launch vehicles, aircraft, or rotorcraft.
Master's degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business.
Experience across multiple manufacturing processes and technologies, including metal machining, composites, aerostructures, welding, and harness fabrication.
Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.

Responsibilities

Lead high-volume manufacturing operations encompassing quality, engineering, supply chain, and production across all fabrication areas and work centers at the Explorer Facility in Huntsville.
Direct initiatives and strategies that deliver cost-effective, high-quality operational performance in support of orbital launch vehicle development for payload and human spaceflight.
Implement methods to increase production efficiency and productivity, including factory flow optimization, higher throughput within existing floor space, improved first-pass yield, increased output, accelerated learning curves, and supplier on-time delivery.
Propagate key operational learnings and best practices to drive continuous improvement across Explorer Facility operations and the broader Blue Origin enterprise.
Champion safety and first-time quality across all functions while actively growing and developing your team at all levels.
Analyze processes and operations at both micro and macro levels, implementing high-impact improvements for safety and quality that reduce unit cost and accelerate throughput.
Oversee the development and implementation of data-driven systems with a lean approach, maintaining a sharp focus on delivering measurable results.
Leverage Blue Origin's Leadership Principles to cultivate a trusting, learning culture through continuous feedback, coaching, and robust development opportunities — fostering a "One Team Mindset" across the Huntsville site and partner organizations.