Director of Recovery Ops

BLUE ORIGIN•West Melbourne, FL

About The Position

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. We are seeking an experienced Recovery Operations Director to lead safe, efficient marine recovery of Blue Origin vehicles and payloads from ocean landing zones back to land. You will own end-to-end recovery strategy and execution—setting standards, building high-performing teams, and driving continuous improvement in safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will lead multidisciplinary mission and flight operations teams and serve as a key interface to program leadership, customers, and executive stakeholders. 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. Position Details: Shift: A | Mon–Fri (6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) Location: Example: Space Coast, FL Relocation: Available

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, operations, or related technical field; or equivalent hands-on experience in complex aerospace or industrial operations.
Direct experience in marine operations of large commercial or industrial ships, oil platforms, or similar complex maritime systems.
7+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders and multidisciplinary operations teams (e.g., mission control, launch/test, payload processing, or similar).
Direct experience planning and executing complex operations involving hazardous systems (e.g., cryogenic, pneumatic, hydraulic, high voltage, high pressure, ordnance, propellants, or other hazardous materials).
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), work in field/industrial environments (outdoors, PPE, ladders, hazardous or restricted areas), and travel to other sites and launch/test locations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

15+ years of relevant aerospace or space launch experience with complex engineering systems (e.g., launch vehicles, spacecraft, aircraft, propulsion/test facilities), including substantial mission and/or flight operations experience, especially sea-based rocket recovery.
Direct experience working with the U.S. Coast Guard and other maritime regulators and organizations.
Direct leadership of launch pad or test stand operations, payload processing/encapsulation, mission/control center or flight test operations, and/or launch site/complex-wide coordination.
Hands-on or deep working expertise in at least one relevant technical area, such as vehicle or payload integration and checkout; ground fluid systems (cryogenic, pneumatic, hydraulic); avionics/instrumentation/electrical checkout; ordnance/explosives; or propellant/hazardous material processing.
Working knowledge of safety and regulatory frameworks, such as range safety requirements, OSHA/NFPA standards, explosives and hazardous materials regulations, and environmental/transportation regulations (e.g., 49 CFR, 40 CFR).
Experience with system safety and process hazard analyses (e.g., FMEA, HAZOP, fault tree analysis) and implementing mitigations through procedures, training, and design changes.
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.
Formal training or certifications in operations management, project/program management, Lean, or Six Sigma.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance if required (e.g., Secret or TS/SCI).

Responsibilities

Lead marine recovery operations for assigned programs, vehicles, payloads, and/or sites, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution.
Define and maintain the Recovery team operating model, including org structure, staffing, interfaces, and standards across launch, payload, ground, and control center operations.
Build, lead, and develop a multi-level team (managers, controllers, engineers, technicians) including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, and succession planning.
Set and enforce standards for operations products (concepts of operations, procedures, checklists, timelines, mission rules), maintaining configuration control and alignment with engineering, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee integrated planning and scheduling across vehicles, payloads, ground support equipment, facilities, and marine resources; resolve conflicts and drive decisions that balance safety, schedule, and cost.
Serve as senior operations authority in readiness reviews and go/no-go forums, clearly communicating risks, mitigations, and readiness to leadership and customers.
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, 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.
Own recovery operations budgets within the Annual Operating Plan and influence capital planning to ensure facilities, vessels, and GSE meet mission and growth needs.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders—including programs, mission management, range authorities, and customers—to align concepts of operations, schedules, and risk posture.

Benefits

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.

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