Blue Origin

Director - New Glenn Operations and Manufacturing

Blue Origin • $150K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
  • 15+ years in aerospace manufacturing or related industry
  • 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing large teams
  • Experience leading teams in fast-paced, complex environments
  • Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma; Black Belt certification preferred

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop teams driving manufacturing and operations execution
  • Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement
  • Own departmental KPIs, budgets, and staffing plans
  • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to meet production schedules
  • Drive process definition and improvement initiatives
  • Collaborate with engineering teams on Design for Manufacturability
  • Implement production frameworks for world-class manufacturing

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability
  • 401(k) with up to 5% company match
  • Stock options for regular employees
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off and 14 company-paid holidays
  • Education Support Program
Full Job Description
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

As the Director for New Glenn Manufacturing at Blue Origin's Rocket Park Complex in Merritt Island, FL, this role will have a direct impact on the success of Blue's mission.

We are looking for senior leaders to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

About This Opportunity
Blue Origin is actively building its senior manufacturing and operations leadership team across multiple sites. We are seeking an experienced Director with a strong aerospace background to lead high-performing teams in support of our rocket production program. This role will span the following functional areas:

Manufacturing and Integration
Provides senior leadership across production operations including structural fabrication, thermal protection systems, systems integration, testing, and final assembly for Blue Origin's booster manufacturing. Responsible for establishing and maintaining process controls, driving production efficiency, and ensuring safe, repeatable spaceflight hardware delivery at all stages of the product lifecycle. This role will also provide leadership across integration operations supporting the assembly and verification of complex space systems, launch vehicles, and propulsion hardware. Accountable for coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure the safe, on-time integration of hardware in alignment with engineering requirements, mission assurance standards, and program milestones.

Key Responsibilities:
Leaders across these functional areas are expected to:
• Lead and develop teams of Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors driving manufacturing and operations execution across space and propulsion programs
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all 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 principles 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

Minimum Qualifications:
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's degree, MBA, or advanced degree in a relevant engineering or business field
• Prior experience in aerospace environments 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 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

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check
  • Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
  • Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical


Benefits
  • Benefits include: 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.
  • Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
  • Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
  • Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.


About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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