Shift Leader, Engines Manufacturing - Assembly (B Shift)

BLUE ORIGIN•Seattle, WA

7d•$113,158 - $158,421

About The Position

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which supports manufacturing and supply chain across Blue Origin facilities. The Shift Leader joins a team working in rocket engine assembly production and oversees technicians on the production floor. The role calls for a strong technical understanding of complex assemblies and production environments, preferably in propulsion, with experience spanning failure analysis, Lean manufacturing, project management, tolerance stack-up analysis, and final mechanical assembly. The Shift Leader oversees technicians’ day-to-day work, scheduling, mentoring, and cross-functional engagement. They coordinate production efforts, enforce area standards, prioritize work against production schedules and organizational goals, manage risk, ensure product quality, and drive safety, efficiency, training, and continuous improvement. The role also supports the transition of products from engineering development to full-rate production and provides manufacturability feedback to engineering and design teams. The position requires availability for extended hours and weekends as needed, and travel for short or extended trips up to 10%. Physical requirements include lifting 35 pounds unassisted and stooping, bending, crawling, and maneuvering in tight spaces. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. citizenship, residency, or protected immigration-status requirement. The listed Washington base pay range is $113,158.00–$158,420.85; ranges at other sites may differ.

Requirements

Associate's degree or five years of experience in a turbomachinery and rotary assemblies manufacturing environment.
Bachelor's degree.
At least three years in a leadership position leading a team of 15 or more people.
Lean manufacturing training and experience.
Experience monitoring, tracking, and continually improving the total cost equation.
Experience applying Lean manufacturing principles and efficiency methods.
Ability to read and interpret controlled documentation and processes, including mechanical drawings, GD&T, assembly procedures and work instructions, schematics, engineering drawings, and parts lists.
Ability to adapt to changing work assignments and a fast-paced work environment.
Proficiency with computers, MS Office, shop-floor management software (ERP), and related programs.
Ability to distinguish colors.
Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Ability to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 10%.
Ability to lift 35 pounds unassisted, stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces.
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen a culture of inclusion.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a fast-paced production environment with flight-quality hardware.
Six Sigma Certification.
Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Failure Mode Effects Analysis.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and steer the collective efforts of engine assembly production technicians.
Enforce area standards and operational rules, including annual reviews, regular mentoring, and disciplinary action.
Interface with area leadership across the factory and prioritize work based on the production schedule and organizational goals.
Identify and mitigate schedule risks.
Coordinate support organization efforts to minimize production interruptions.
Ensure product quality and conformance to specifications.
Disposition non-conforming hardware to return it efficiently to a conforming state and normal product flow.
Improve area safety and efficiency through regular auditing and continuous improvement.
Establish and analyze area metrics to guide personnel training and development, efficiency projects, factory product-flow optimization, root-cause analysis and corrective action, defect elimination, and downtime reduction.
Lead efforts to transition products from engineering development to full-rate production.
Review drawings and technical data packages for manufacturability and provide constructive feedback to engineering and design teams.
Oversee technicians’ day-to-day tasks, scheduling, mentoring, and cross-functional team engagement.

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.
Employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on role type and job level; eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed and may change or be canceled.