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 a part of Test & Flight Operations team, providing centralized support to Business Units with the focus on design, build and maintenance of the ground systems, test and launch facilities across multiple locations.

The Sr. Manager, Test Operations role is responsible for leading a diverse and passionate team of engineers and technicians that operates a rocket engine test stand near Van Horn, Texas. The Sr. Manager collaborates closely with all Blue Origin business units in planning and delivering these rocket engine tests. The Sr Manager integrates with Test Operations senior leaders and support organizations to plan, prepare, and conduct test operations with a focus on safety at high rate and low cost. Team size is approximately 35 personnel including a Test Engineering Manager and Technician Supervisors. Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site offers eligible employees additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance, etc. 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Van Horn Specific information

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employee’s additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance.  Eligibility for these additional benefits is based on the employee’s ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue location a minimum of 50% of the time.

Management responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Manage personnel at the Giant Engine Experiment (GEEx) test stand to include recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent.Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale.Be an exemplar of all Blue Leadership Principles, especially operational excellence.Be the focal point for all GEEx stakeholder teams and coordinate daily and weekly test plans.Maintain the GEEx Integrated Master Schedule and assign engineering and technician resources as required for work planned at the test stand.Maintain employee training and development records.Collaborate with a diverse team of technicians and engineers spanning product, design, test, quality and all other relevant teams..Assist in the preparation and presentation of Program Monthly Reviews across multiple business units, as well as Daily Status Updates to help communicate inwards and outwards across the organization.Prepare quantitative strategic plans to ensure the targets are met, and leverage team skills and capabilities to implement and track progress against the plans.Lead overhead and labor budget planning and execution.

Technical Responsibilities:

Establish the overall technical direction for the GEEx team and test stand, including identifying potential modifications for improved safety, rate, and cost.Develop and execute test plans and procedures; perform subsequent data reduction and reviews.Understand and provide guidance to the team on the operation and troubleshooting of fluid and instrumentation systems.Lead root cause analyses and failure investigations, implement corrective actions, and lead continuous improvement projects.Provide technical insight and authority on system hazard analyses performed by the engineering team.Perform schedule and cost estimation and management.Comply with and improve processes for test stand configuration management.

Minimum Qualifications

BS degree in engineering or related field2+ years as a manager or lead of a technical team5+ years in a high consequence, high hazard operations environment in large industry, petrochemical, or aerospace facilitiesStrong background in fluid dynamics and thermodynamicsStrong project management, and team leadershipOutstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal skillsDemonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety cultureDemonstrated habitual drive to correct errors at their root and not pass them downstreamDemonstrated effectiveness in setting high standards of performance and holding teams accountableDemonstrated effectiveness in implementing continuous improvement to improve processes, methods and practicesDemonstrated effectiveness in conflict-resolution and an ability to bring a group to a decisionMust 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

MS in engineering or MBA5+ years as a manager or lead of a technical team12+ years in an operations environment in large industry, petrochemical, or aerospace facilitiesDemonstrated technical expertise in cryogenic and gaseous hydrogen and oxygen test design and operations.Demonstrated technical expertise in gaseous and liquid rocket engine test stand design, operation, and maintenanceDemonstrated technical expertise in component and system level testing of propulsion, cryogenic fluid, and spaceflight hardware through development, qualification, and acceptance test campaignsPrevious experience operating in Process Safety Management environmentKnowledge of fabrication and integration processes, systems engineering and quality control practices

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.