Sr. Director- Manufacturing, Operations, & Production

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 a Sr. Director for Manufacturing at Blue Origin’s manufacturing, production, and launch facilities, 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 Sr. 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

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30

Other site ranges may differ

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.