Senior Manager, Test Operations

BLUE ORIGIN • Van Horn, TX

3d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Test Operations leads the Giant Engine Experiment (GEEx) engine test stand near Van Horn, Texas. The role leads engineers and technicians conducting tests on liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) engines, and works with Blue Origin business units to develop and qualify in-space fluid and engine systems. The manager integrates with Test Operations senior leaders and support organizations to plan, prepare, and safely and efficiently conduct operations on a multi-cell test stand.

The position establishes technical direction for the GEEx test engineering team and leads facility design, planning, fabrication, installation, and operation to meet business-unit requirements. It also owns capital, overhead, and labor budget planning and execution, capital improvement projects, long-term planning, and communication. The role calls for a commitment to operational excellence, safety, quality, and safe human spaceflight.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• At least 3 years as a manager or lead of a technical team.
• At least 12 years in an operations environment in large industry, petrochemical, or aerospace facilities.
• Strong background in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.
• Strong project management and team leadership skills.
• Outstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high-performing safety culture.
• Demonstrated drive to correct errors at their root rather than pass them downstream.
• Demonstrated experience setting high performance standards and holding teams accountable.
• Demonstrated effectiveness implementing continuous improvement in processes, methods, and practices.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict resolution and ability to bring a group to a decision.
• 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

• Technical expertise in cryogenic test design and operations.
• Technical expertise in liquid rocket engine test stand design, operation, and maintenance.
• Previous experience operating in a Process Safety Management (PSM) environment.
• Knowledge of fabrication and integration processes, systems engineering, and quality control practices.
• Master’s degree in engineering or PMP certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the GEEx test stand team, including recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining team members through performance management processes.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and positive employee morale.
• Maintain employee training and development records.
• Work with Responsible Engineers, Test Operations peers, maintenance, Quality Specialists, and other teams to ensure requirements are met.
• Assist in preparing regular programmatic reports for internal and external organizational communication.
• Prepare quantitative strategic plans, set targets, and supervise progress toward them.
• Lead capital, overhead, and labor budget planning and execution, and manage capital improvement projects.
• Establish technical direction for the GEEx test engineering team.
• Develop and implement test plans and procedures, then lead data reduction and reviews.
• Lead design, planning, fabrication, installation, and operation of test facilities to meet business-unit customer requirements.
• Lead daily test operations, direct technician work, and coordinate with internal customers.
• Understand and resolve issues in fluid and instrumentation systems.
• Conduct root cause analysis and failure investigations, and lead corrective actions and continuous improvement projects.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHA).
• Perform schedule and cost estimation and management.
• Identify opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings.
• Align with and improve test stand configuration-management processes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
• Paid time off of up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours.
• Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on company discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior