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 the Test Operations team, providing centralized support to business units with a focus on the design, build, and maintenance of the ground systems, test, and launch facilities across multiple locations.

As the supervisor of a hardworking and accomplished team of test technicians, you will set technical direction, build team members to support current and future program needs, be responsible for employee life cycle including hiring, performance management, training and providing tools for career development.

Your role will be pivotal in enhancing the technical processes, instituting industry best practices, and advancing tool development within specific domains of launch vehicle test planning, execution, and hardware development cycles. Kent Test Operations is strategically positioning itself to achieve a significantly increased throughput, with the objective of amplifying our testing frequency to a 10x cadence to match the rate of our manufacturing facility. This initiative is crucial for meeting our ambitious testing cadence targets.

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

Responsibilities:

Supervise test technician personnel in day-to-day operations

Conduct performance reviews

Responsible for establishing workstation assignments, employee training, overtime assignments and back-up for absent employees

Maintain and communicate test facility schedule status to ensure meeting customer expectations

Provide first level escalation support to employees regarding HR issues (employee relations, worker’s compensation, disciplinary actions, timecards, PTO requests)

Identifying Continuous Improvement opportunities and implementing change to improve process, reduce cycle and setup times aimed at matching rate with our manufacturing facility.

Maintain all test facility programs.  These programs include 5S, Lean, Cleaning and Safety

Ensure all team members follow work instructions, quality requirements and processes

Ensure accurate test technician staff data recording. Namely clock-in/clock-out activities

Provide continued training and skills development for team members, and mentor early career team member

Ensure start-up readiness for production

Maintain test facilities organization, safety, and cleanliness

Support design for manufacturing and provide job planning estimates

Ability to perform interviews, evaluate talent and provide hiring recommendations

Safely work within an industrial environment

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of 8 years of experience in Aerospace and Flight testing qualification

Proven experience and successful track record leading teams and influencing company-level policy and direction.

Proven experience in motivating other departments within your company to commit to a collaborative effort and delivery on an aggressive schedule.

Strong work ethic with a high attention to detail and level of organization.

Strong written, personal, and computer skills. Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at the executive leadership level and on the shop floor.

Passion for spaceflight and space exploration.

Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.

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:

Tooling and fixture design

5S, Lean Manufacturing or Kaizen experience

Knowledge of installation and assembly tolerances

Experience operating heavy lifting equipment such as cranes and forklifts around flight critical hardware

Hands on testing experience in an Aerospace Environment or similar industry.

B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or other relevant experience

Demonstrated success as a direct supervisor or lead of a team of at least ten individuals.

Demonstrated technical or management expertise in design, operation, testing, or production of pressurized (up to 6000 psi), cryogenic, actuated, and/or hydraulic systems.

Demonstrated knowledge tubing manufacturing and use of fittings from AN, Swagelok, High and medium pressure.

Strong knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, actuators, servo-valves, and fittings.

Experience with sensors and instrumentation (pressure transducers, accelerometers, etc.), data acquisition, and automation systems.

Familiarity with precision clean hardware and systems.

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

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.