Blue Origin

Sr. Manager-Instrumentation & Controls (I&C)

Blue Origin$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in mission/flight operations and aerospace systems.
  • 3+ years of frontline leadership experience directing technicians or operators.
  • Experience with complex systems (cryogenic, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.).
  • Ability to read and follow technical documentation and schematics.
  • Proficient with digital tools and open to learning new technical tools quickly.
  • Must be willing to support nonstandard hours and work in various environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily activities of the I&C team focused on safety and quality.
  • Plan and monitor work shifts and assignments for team members.
  • Ensure adherence to procedures and safety/quality standards.
  • Provide technical support for ground systems integration and operations.
  • Conduct performance reviews and mentor team members.
  • Manage team growth through hiring, onboarding, and recognition.
  • Communicate project status and issues effectively to partners and leadership.

Benefits

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

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

The Ground System Development organization is responsible for delivering reliable, high performance ground systems, electrical systems, and Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) infrastructure that enable safe and continuous spaceflight operations. This position supports that mission by contributing to the design, build, integration, and sustainment of ground systems, test assets, and launch facilities across multiple sites.

As part of a highly skilled team of technicians and engineers, you will manage and lead the I&C team efforts of install, troubleshoot, and commission instrumentation and control systems that support critical launch and test operations. Your leadership will directly influence system readiness, facility reliability, and the overall success of launch site execution.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Lead technicians in day-to-day activities associated with instrumentation and control system build, installation, test and troubleshoot, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and schedule.
  • Plan, assign, and monitor work (shift coverage, work center assignments, overtime, and backup coverage).
  • Ensure work is performed per approved procedures, work instructions, drawings, and safety/quality requirements.
  • Provide hands on technical support for integration, checkout, test, and operations of ground systems as needed.
  • Conduct regular performance check ins, annual and mid-year reviews; coach, develop, and mentor team members.
  • Lead the team growth and support through Interviewing and hiring, onboarding, training, and recognition for your team.
  • Review and sign timecards.
  • Communicate work status, issues, and risks clearly to leadership and partner teams (engineering, planning, logistics, safety, quality).
  • Support workforce planning, budget inputs, and resource forecasting for the I&C technician team.
  • Drive a strong safety culture; identify hazards, support incident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvements to increase safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
  • Maintain clean, organized, compliant work areas (e.g., 5S, "clean as you go," tool/FOD control).


Minimum Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in mission/flight operations, launch/test operations, aerospace/industrial systems, or a closely related operational environment.
  • 3+ year of frontline leadership (supervisor, lead, crew chief, or equivalent) directing technicians or operators.
  • Experience performing work on complex or hazardous systems (e.g., cryogenic, pneumatic, hydraulic, high pressure, high voltage, propellants, or similar).
  • Ability to read and follow technical documentation (procedures, work instructions, drawings, schematics, manuals).
  • Proven ability to plan and prioritize daily work for a team while meeting safety, quality, and schedule commitments.
  • Basic proficiency with digital tools (email, spreadsheets, maintenance/operations systems) and ability to learn new tools quickly.
  • Willing and able to support nonstandard hours (nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime), work in field/industrial environments (outdoors, PPE, heights/ladders, hazardous or restricted areas as required), and travel occasionally to other Blue Origin sites or test/launch locations.
  • 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
  • 7+ years of relevant operations experience (e.g., aerospace, launch vehicles, test facilities, industrial automation/controls, oil & gas, or similar), including 3+ years as a frontline supervisor/lead, preferably in domains such as launch pad/test stand instrumentation and control system build, installation, test and troubleshoot.
  • Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, models, specifications, and test procedures.
  • Experience with Lean/continuous improvement (e.g., 5S, Kaizen) and implementing process and safety improvements.
  • Experience with assembly, integration, and handling of large or complex control systems handling process and mechanical systems.
  • Formal technical training or an associate degree in a relevant field (e.g., electronics, mechanics, industrial technology, instrumentation, mechatronics).
  • Knowledge of UL508A standards, NEC70, AFSPC 91-710, Installation requirements for Hazardous Locations
  • Experience installing cable tray, wire basket, conduit, cable routing
  • Experience with Mil spec and industrial connectors such as 38999, 5015, M8, M12 and others

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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