Blue Origin

Sr. Manager, Ground System Test Engineering & Development

Blue Origin$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in mechanical, fluids, or test systems engineering, including 3+ years in a management role.
  • Proven experience leading full lifecycle fluid system development projects.
  • Expertise in high-pressure gas and cryogenic fluid systems, including LOX, LH2, LNG, and LN2 management.
  • Proven success in leading safety analysis processes like HAZOP and PHA.
  • Ability to juggle multiple projects with diverse schedules and budgets.
  • Strong skills in team-building and mentorship within engineering teams.

Responsibilities

  • Own and manage projects for test infrastructure and production environments from start to finish.
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and project managers across various business units.
  • Ensure execution of multiple test stand and fluid system projects, adhering to schedule and budget.
  • Collaborate closely with functional teams to deliver integrated mechanical systems.
  • Make key decisions regarding high-pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and their interfaces.
  • Lead safety analysis processes and incorporate findings into design solutions.
  • Assess and mitigate risks while balancing operational and developmental needs of various business units.
  • Communicate project statuses, risks, and requirements effectively with senior leadership.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Short and long-term disability and life insurance options.
  • Paid parental leave and a 401(k) plan with a 5% company match.
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off plus 14 company holidays.
  • Stock options available for all regular employees working 20 hours or more per week.
  • Education Support Program to assist with further educational pursuits.
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 part of a hardworking team of diverse engineers, analysts, designers, and project managers, you will lead the Test and Production System Development team, owning the full lifecycle design, development, build, and activation of test facilities, integrated test stands, and production environment fluid systems in manufacturing across the Orbital Launch Site (OLS) and Rocket Park. Upon activation, test infrastructure is handed to Test Operations; the team then provides sustaining engineering support to keep those assets capable and mission ready. You will support all Blue Origin business units — including New Glenn, Lunar, Engines, and Test Operations — delivering safe, reliable, and capable mechanical and fluid system infrastructure. You will manage a multidisciplinary team of mechanical/fluids engineers, technical project managers, and construction project managers, working in close partnership with functional Data Systems and Control Equipment (DSCE), ground software, CAD drafting, and Facilities teams to execute your scope.

Special Mentions

  • Relocation provided

  • Travel expected up to 15% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Own complete test infrastructure and production environment projects across test facilities, integrated test stands, and manufacturing — from requirements through design, build, and activation; hand off to Test Operations upon activation and provide ongoing sustaining engineering support

  • Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of mechanical/fluids engineers, technical project managers, and construction project managers supporting all Blue Origin business units.

  • Drive execution of multiple concurrent test stand and production fluid system projects in parallel; maintain schedule, budget, and technical performance

  • Partner closely with DSCE (hardware and software), CAD drafting, Facilities, Safety/EHS, Quality, Integrated Supply Chain and other functional teams to deliver integrated, fully functional test and production systems

  • Own technical and programmatic decision-making for high-pressure and cryogenic fluid systems, hazardous fluid handling, and associated structural and mechanical interfaces

  • Lead and champion HAZOP and PHA/PSA processes across all projects, ensuring safety analysis is thorough, timely, and fully integrated into design

  • Anticipate and mitigate programmatic and technical risks, balance near-term operational needs with long-term capability development across multiple business unit customers

  • Set team goals aligned with organizational objectives; communicate program status, risks, and resource needs clearly to senior leadership

  • Build, develop, and retain a high-performing engineering team; provide coaching, feedback, and career development opportunities

  • Champion process improvements and engineering best practices across the test stand and production fluid systems function

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline

  • 10+ years of experience in mechanical, fluids, or test systems engineering, with at least 3 years in a people leadership or management role

  • Demonstrated experience leading engineers through the full lifecycle of fluid system development (design, build, integration, and activation/commissioning)

  • Technical competency in both high-pressure gas and cryogenic fluid systems, including cryogenic propellant systems (LOX, LH2, LNG, LN2, etc.)

  • Demonstrated competency leading HAZOP and PHA processes from initiation through resolution and documentation; experience integrating safety analysis outputs into design and operational procedures

  • Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with distinct schedules, budgets, and stakeholders

  • Demonstrated track record of building and developing high-performing engineering teams

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical and programmatic status to senior leadership

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

  • Experience managing construction project managers, leading ground-up facility build projects, and/or working with external contractors.

  • Background in rocket engine or propulsion component test stand and integrated test facility design and operation

  • Experience supporting production fluid systems in a manufacturing environment

  • Familiarity with range/launch site operations and associated safety and facility requirements

  • Experience coordinating across multiple internal business unit customers in a shared-services or functional engineering organization

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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