At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!
This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Facilities, and Security. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.
As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for managing and leading a team of Manufacturing Engineers dedicated to building, assembling, and integrating major subassemblies for the In-Space Systems division. From a technical aspect, you and your team will be responsible for the translation of engineering intent, drawings, and configurations into operational steps and processes to produce fully functional hardware. This is inclusive of shipside build support, translation of engineering definition into work instructions, and process development/qualification. You will also identify, develop, and deploy methods to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build sequence and schedules. As an integral member of the team, you will lead DFMA and PFMEA studies to strengthen the feedback loop between design, build, and test and accelerate the pace of product development. As the Team Leader, you will be responsible for working closely with your team to develop goals and career paths, and manage roles, responsibilities, and accountability for each team member. In addition, this role is accountable for the planning, implementing, and monitoring of programs from beginning to end, according to achievements and budgets. The position is the point-of-contact between elements of Manufacturing, Procurement, Test, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Program Management. It ensures cost and schedule conformance on assigned programs by coordinating the procurement, build, and test of complex products.
Special Mentions:
- Relocation provided
- Travel expected up to 20-25% of the time
- Shifts available:
- Interviews will include a technical assessment
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Enable the success of a team comprised of hard-working Manufacturing Engineers, providing mentoring, guidance, and support to all direct reports.
- Perform capacity analysis, evaluate staffing requirements, and hire strong candidates to build a team consistent with our leadership principles.
- Apply robust, consistent, and reliable engineering fundamentals and processes to ensure the highest quality of manufacturing engineering.
- Review and understand companywide processes and command media to ensure proper compliance.
- Define how to prepare hardware for test, qualification, and flight.
- Drive research and development hardware into a repeatable production product
- Identify, develop, and deploy new manufacturing methods (or refine existing) to improve quality, reduce cost, and optimize build schedule.
- Develop manufacturing work instructions to clearly define the following manufacturing process: receiving inspection, fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and refurbishment.
- Closely manage cost, quality, build sequence, and schedule of hardware throughout the entire manufacturing process
- Perform engineering drawing review and drive manufacturability into designs.
- Develop process control measures and evaluation through statistical analysis.
- Define and support repair and rework activities.
- Design, procure, install, and integrate custom manufacturing equipment.
- Collaborate with external and internal suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure that hardware and equipment is manufactured, processed, packaged, and delivered properly, on time, and on budget.
- Perform root cause analyses when non-conformances and escapes are identified and deploy corrective actions.
- Design proper material handling and packaging to protect hardware throughout the build and test process.
- Manage hardware configuration and maintain pedigree throughout the entire build and test process.
- Ensure all Program Requirements are being met from a fabrication/assembly, procurement, and facilities standpoint.
- Responsible for developing the operations plan for operations, tooling, facilities, equipment (capital) and procurement. Responsible for keeping this plan current.
- Partner with supporting functional organizations (e.g., Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, Enterprise Program Management Office) to assure continuous interfaces, smooth operations, and reconciliation of process standards, action items, and emergent issues both across the business unit and with the rest of the company.
- Ensure integration of all schedules across the program including house manufacturing, material procurement, facilities, capital, drawing releases, etc.
- Ensures the consistent application and proper communication with production operations of requirements to support Program needs, including schedule, capacity planning, equipment, facilities and infrastructure.
- Perform and lead others in the development of specific project/program plans, managing risks, tracking, reporting on status, and resolving blocking issues.
- Work independently toward long-range objectives without appreciable direction and resolve technical objectives of assignments to develop approaches to solutions.
- Develop and implement product roadmaps working with internal and external customers to understand how your product integrates to meet current and future mission needs.
- Oversee production budgets with the responsibility to analyze, manage and report on budget performance and variance analysis.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering (other relevant fields may apply) from an accredited university (Master of Science preferred)
- 5+ years of direct manufacturing and manufacturing engineering experience supporting large assemblies, pressurized systems, and acceptance testing (preferably on launch vehicle, spacecraft, or satellite)
- 3+ years of direct management experience with a team of engineers as direct reports
- Mastery of engineering fundamentals for mechanical/electrical design, manufacturing, and test
- Extensive experience in hardware manufacturing (i.e., welding, machining, cleaning, non-destructive testing methods, tight tolerance assembly, leak testing, final acceptance testing of integrated hardware, and Manufacturing Execution Systems/Software)
- Demonstrated exceptional business insight, while comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Project management experience throughout the manufacturing environment.
- Understanding of product lifecycle, specifically from development to production.
- Highly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with internal and external teams
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
- Ability to operate, make decisions, lead, and make forward progress in ambiguous environments.
- Strong written, personal, technical, and software skills (CAD, Scheduling, Issue Tracking, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- 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.
- ITAR Requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- 8+ years of direct manufacturing and manufacturing engineering experience in space or aerospace
- Satellite and/or spacecraft manufacturing experience in manufacturing engineering and/or assembly, integration and test (AI&T)
- Experience leading dynamic (e.g., growing, evolving) organizations, including planning, budget, schedule, quality, reporting, staff, facilities, and interfaces.
- Experience using schedule management tools such as P6 Primavera
- Technical or project management expertise that has contributed to the success of Tier 1 achievements.
- MBA or other relevant education
- PMP certification
Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.
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.
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here.
California Applicant Privacy Notice
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