Blue Origin

Director, Vehicle Test, MK2 Crew Lander

Blue Origin$130K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Leadership experience in system-level testing for complex aerospace systems
  • Proven track record in managing teams and fostering a culture of development
  • Strong communication skills in verbal, written, and graphical formats
  • Willingness to travel and work flexible hours for test scheduling
  • Ability to build trust and maintain positive professional relationships
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field
  • Minimum of 12 years of industry experience

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain an extensive test campaign for a certified crew spacecraft
  • Lead planning and execution of all vehicle-level test activities for the MK2 Crew Lander
  • Manage the vehicle test organization to enhance team performance and collaboration
  • Foster a rigorous testing culture throughout the MK2 organization
  • Encourage innovative management practices to meet aggressive testing timelines

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Short and long-term disability coverage
  • Paid parental leave and generous paid time off
  • 401(k) plan with a company match up to 5%
  • Education support programs to further employee development
Full Job Description
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As the Director of Vehicle Test, you will mentor, train, and lead a team that is developing the tests we will execute on our Lunar Lander vehicle. You will ensure tests are planned, prepared, and executed safely and within the budgets, schedules, and technical needs of the program. Your role is accountable for the complete test life cycle on the Lunar Lander vehicle. You will develop schedules, manage risks, and collaborate with internal and external suppliers and stakeholders to ensure a rigorous test approach that meets the requirements and risk posture of the program.

Responsibilities:
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive test campaign on a human certified spacecraft, ensuring a rigorous and disciplined approach to testing that meets a demanding schedule within difficult technical constraints while never compromising safety.
  • Lead the planning and execution of all vehicle-level test activities for the MK2 Crew Lander including all system, electrical, structural, fluids, and environmental testing.
  • Manage the vehicle test organization, fostering career development and raising the bar of performance through a focus on strategic planning, high quality decisions, collaboration, communication, and trust.
  • Institute and foster a rigorous test culture across the MK2 organization, reviewing and coaching and at all levels of the organization and at all levels of assembly.
  • Drive an innovative, resourceful management culture and operating cadence that encourages taking new approaches while achieving aggressive test schedules.


Qualifications:
  • Experience leading system-level testing of complex aerospace systems including one or more of the following test disciplines - fluids, structural, electrical, and environmental tests.
  • Demonstrated experience effectively managing People, including fostering a culture of action, accountability, coaching, and development
  • Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
  • Ability to travel and work flexible hours to support test planning and execution
  • Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of integrity.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or an equivalent related field
  • 12 or more years of experience


Desired:
  • Experience leading a system-level test campaign on large spacecraft including environmental testing.
  • Experience with NASA programs and human spaceflight programs
  • Experience with Agile project management approaches, as well as waterfall project scheduling including development of IMP/IMS, critical path analysis, and schedule risk analysis
  • Experience with the Systems Engineering lifecycle (requirements, interface definition, verification, validation)


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.

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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