Sr. Director- Manufacturing, Operations, & Production
About The Position
Blue Origin is seeking an experienced senior manufacturing and operations leader with a strong aerospace background to lead high-performing teams supporting its rocket production program across multiple sites. The role spans manufacturing and integration at Blue Origin manufacturing, production, and launch facilities, with responsibility for production operations including structural fabrication, thermal protection systems, systems integration, testing, and final assembly for booster manufacturing. It also leads integration operations for the assembly and verification of complex space systems, launch vehicles, and propulsion hardware. The Sr. Director is accountable for process controls, production efficiency, safe and repeatable delivery of spaceflight hardware throughout the product lifecycle, and coordination of safe, timely hardware integration in alignment with engineering requirements, mission assurance standards, and program milestones. The position leads teams of managers, senior managers, and directors; owns departmental performance measures, budgets, staffing plans, and capital project portfolios; and partners with program management, site leadership, engineering, and other stakeholders to meet production schedules and customer expectations. The leader advances continuous improvement and manufacturing capabilities while fostering a culture of safety, quality, and mission assurance. Blue Origin describes its mission as developing reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems, lowering the cost of access to space, and enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. Applicants must meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements. Background checks are required, with additional checks or credentials applying to certain job profiles.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- 15 or more years of progressive experience in aerospace manufacturing or a closely related industry, such as launch vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft systems, or defense.
- 5 or more years in a senior leadership role managing managers and large, cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing and operations teams in fast-paced, complex environments.
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree, MBA, or advanced degree in a relevant engineering or business field.
- Prior aerospace experience supporting space hardware, rocket propulsion, or other mission-critical, high-value components.
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, or Six Sigma; Black Belt certification is preferred.
- Experience transitioning manufacturing capabilities from development and prototyping into full-rate production.
- Knowledge of fabrication processes including machining, welding, composites, additive manufacturing, cleaning, and non-destructive testing.
- Experience with facility activation, new production line startup, or multi-site manufacturing operations.
- Proficiency with MRP/ERP, PLM, and Manufacturing Execution Systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop teams of Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors responsible for manufacturing and operations execution across space and propulsion programs.
- Provide senior leadership for production operations including structural fabrication, thermal protection systems, systems integration, testing, and final assembly for booster manufacturing.
- Lead integration operations supporting assembly and verification of complex space systems, launch vehicles, and propulsion hardware.
- Establish and maintain process controls, drive production efficiency, and ensure safe, repeatable delivery of spaceflight hardware throughout the product lifecycle.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure safe, on-time hardware integration in alignment with engineering requirements, mission assurance standards, and program milestones.
- Champion safety, quality, and continuous improvement across functional teams.
- Own departmental KPIs, budgets, staffing plans, and capital project portfolios.
- Partner with Program Management, Site Leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to meet production schedules and customer expectations.
- Drive process definition, development, deployment, and improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing and root cause analysis.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to advance Design for Manufacturability and accelerate the transition from development to production.
- Implement and mature production frameworks that support world-class manufacturing capabilities.
- Communicate and enforce mission assurance and safety principles throughout the organization.
- Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor talent at all levels of the organization.
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 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
- Potential benefits and bonuses based on role type and job level; eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
