Operations Manager Structural Component Fabrication

Blue Origin•Space Coast, FL

About The Position

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, supporting manufacturing and supply chain across Blue Origin facilities. The Operations Manager leads structural fabrication shops and helps process and program structural components for flight-hardware assembly across spaceflight systems. The position supports safe, repeatable spaceflight and works closely with engineering and area leadership to transition products from development to production, improve manufacturing processes, and meet vehicle delivery schedules. The manager oversees shop staffing and resources, develops employees’ fabrication and machining skills, helps establish production work areas, and ensures products meet engineering specifications. The role requires hands-on experience with specialized, close-tolerance production hardware and the ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, changing environment. Work off-shift, extended hours, overtime, and weekends may be required when necessary; occasional travel is also referenced in the role description.

Requirements

At least 15 years in a direct supervision or leadership position, working on aerospace development programs or in production facilities.
Ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures.
Excellent blueprint-reading skills, including GD&T per ASME Y14.5M-1994.
Knowledge of outside processing such as metal forming, heat treat, plating, coating, EDM, and grinding.
Ability to work effectively, with a strong work ethic and attention to detail, in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment with changing roles and responsibilities.
Computer skills, including Windows and Microsoft Office.
Ability to set a high hiring bar while evaluating and hiring top talent.
Strong customer focus and verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate cooperatively with teams distributed across large geographic distances.
Continuous-improvement mindset.
Ability to work off-shift, extended hours, overtime, and weekends when necessary.
Curiosity about business details and how to optimize them.
Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, and a demonstrated ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight.

Nice To Haves

Experience machining aluminum, nickel-based alloys, stainless steel alloys, copper, and titanium.
Tooling and fixture design experience.
Knowledge of CAD/CAM tools.
Experience operating heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and forklifts around flight-critical hardware.
Knowledge of CMM programming and operation.
Knowledge of outside processing such as heat treat, plating, coating, EDM, and grinding.
Ability to work cooperatively with teams of varying skill levels.
Experience machining tight-tolerance, high-value components.

Responsibilities

Manage structural fabrication shops, including resource planning, authorizing job descriptions, interviewing, making hiring recommendations, assigning tasks, and conducting performance reviews.
Train and develop employees in critical metal-forming and machining processes for close-tolerance production hardware.
Set up production work areas, including layouts, tooling, and equipment.
Provide hands-on support for products made using multi-axis machining, turning, and/or grinding centers.
Coordinate with area leadership to prioritize work according to production schedules and organizational goals.
Ensure product quality and conformance to engineering specifications.
Develop cost-reduction processes and measures to improve efficiency.
Implement and refine manufacturing processes.
Work with engineering to document and standardize production processes and develop production-ready manufacturing approaches.
Review work instructions and recommend changes where needed.
Support ongoing training and skills development to attract, develop, and retain employees.
Work alongside engineering to transition products from development into production.
Forecast constraints and develop recovery plans for issues that affect vehicle delivery schedules.
Identify and implement continuous-improvement projects for area safety and efficiency.
Perform other duties that support the organization’s mission and vision.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match up to 5%
Education Support Program
Paid time off: up to four weeks per year, based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
Potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses depending on role type and job level; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed