Manufacturing Engineer Manager - Test Operations

Application close date:

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 team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

We are seeking an experienced Manager of Manufacturing Engineering to lead a team dedicated to advancing human spaceflight through innovative manufacturing solutions. In this key role, you will oversee the development and implementation of manufacturing processes - including design for manufacturability, work instruction creation, tooling procurement support, process planning, and configuration of efficient work cells. You will work collaboratively within integrated product teams, partnering closely with design, quality, tooling, facilities, logistics, operations, and project management functions to deliver high-quality hardware on aggressive timelines.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical acumen, skilled in driving continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.

Position Specific Details:

• Shift: A | Mon-Fri (6am-2:30pm)
• Location: Huntsville, AL
• Relocation: Available
• Potential travel up to 25% of the time for training and other support activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead, mentor and manage a team of engineers responsible for production of the Lunar Transporter vehicle and subcomponents.
• Build a team of top talent manufacturing engineers, enabling a transformational and flexible organization to take on challenges as they arise.
• Lead the team through design development within the Lunar IPTs, Build & Flow, process, and manufacturing development needs.
• Aid the Operations Leadership team in facilitating effective decision-making on complicated scenarios that will have a significant major effect on the vehicle.
• Provide effective, efficient, focused, and adaptive decision-making in a high-velocity, intense aerospace environment.
• Lead the development of fabrication specifications, acceptance & test plans, maintenance plans, and Statements of Work
• Support requirements generation within the IPT, along with establishing and supporting Interface Control Models (ICMs).
• Support design trades with the IPTs to enable efficient design for manufacturing and operations.
• Responsible for Identifying and developing critical manufacturing processes & steps required for the assembly, integration, and testing of the Lunar Transporter.

Team Focus & Domain Expertise:

The Test Manufacturing Engineering team drives the successful processing of Blue Origin rocket engines from the production line through acceptance testing of the engines and post test inspections. The team takes the testing plans, maintenance, and processes for each engine and translates them into executable work instructions for the Engine Technician team. The team's work directly impacts the delivery of flight hardware to the New Glenn launch vehicle for launching into space. We are looking for a passionate manager to lead this team, drive up efficiency, solve complex problems, maintain a high team morale, and push boundaries as we drive towards a highly efficient acceptance testing process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering (other relevant fields may apply) from an accredited university
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience
• Substantial experience with Design for Manufacturing/Integration principles.
• Substantial experience with configuration management, requirements management processes, requirements change processes, and risk management processes.
• Expert level experience in hardware manufacturing: assembly, integration, instrumentation, cleaning, non-destructive testing, leak testing, final acceptance testing of integrated hardware, fabrication, machining, etc.
• Prior involvement in New Product Introduction (NPI) or transition to production in an aerospace environment.
• Proven ability building trusting and effective working relationships that improve team performance and deliver results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Strong digital literacy (MS Office, MS Project, MS Visio, Jira, Confluence)
• Must be eligible and able to gain access to Redstone Arsenal
• Familiarity with quality and safety standards (AS9100, ISO 9001).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering, business or project management
• Prior experience leading manufacturing engineers or similar
• 4+ years experience in an operations environment
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt preferred)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience
• Experience in human rated aerospace vehicles
• Experience with hazardous operations
• Substantial proven record in a wide variety of hardware including but not limited to: Multi-component and system assembly, bonding/adhesives, machining and composite fab, electrical components
• Substantial experience across multiple portions of the product life cycle of spacecraft, launch-vehicle, or high-performance aircraft systems

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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 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. 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, sex, 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 "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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