Senior Manager, Test Operations at Blue Origin in Van Horn, TX

Senior Manager, Test Operations

Location: Van Horn, TX

Application close date:

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

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!

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety and operational excellence. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

The Sr. Manager, Test Operations role is responsible for leading the GEEx engine test stand near Van Horn, Texas. The Sr. Manager is a leader of passionate team of engineers and technicians who perform testing on our LH2 and LOX engine. The Sr. Manager works closely with all Blue Origin business units developing tests to develop and qualify in-space fluid and engine systems. The Sr Manager integrates with Test Operations senior leaders and support organizations to plan, prepare, and conduct test operations on a multi-cell test stand safely and efficiently. The Sr. Manager is responsible for effectively planning and leading all aspects of capital, overhead and labor budgets, and managing capital improvement projects. Effective communications and long term planning are vital to a successful Sr. Manager.

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!

Management Responsibilities:

• Lead the team at the Giant Engine Experiment (GEEx) test stand to include recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent by following and developing performance management processes.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale.
• Be an exemplar of Blue Leadership Principles, focusing on demonstrating operational excellence.
• Maintain employee training and development records.
• Demonstrate high standards in test operations and work cooperatively with a team of Responsible Engineers, Test Ops counterparts from other test stands, maintenance, Quality Specialists, and other team members to ensure requirements are met.
• Assist in the preparation of regular programmatic reports 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 supervise progress against the plans.
• Lead capital, overhead, and labor budget planning and execution.

Engineering Responsibilities:

• Establish the technical direction for the GEEx test engineering team.
• Develop and implement test plans and procedures; perform subsequent data reduction and reviews.
• Lead the team in the design, planning, fabrication, installation, and operation of test facilities to the unique requirements from business unit customers
• Lead daily test operations, , direct technician work and coordinate with internal customers
• Understand and solve issues in fluid and instrumentation systems.
• Perform root cause analysis and failure investigations, lead implementation of corrective actions or continuous improvement projects
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHA)..
• Perform schedule and cost estimation and management.
• Find opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings.
• Align with and improve processes for test stand configuration management.

Qualifications:

• BS degree in engineering or related field
• 3+ years as a manager or lead of a technical team
• 12+ years in an operations environment in large industry, petrochemical, or aerospace facilities
• Strong background in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
• Strong project management, and team leadership
• Outstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Demonstrated habitual drive to correct errors at their root and not pass them downstream
• Demonstrated experience in setting high standards of performance and holding teams accountable
• Demonstrated effectiveness in implementing continuous improvement to improve processes, methods and practices
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict-resolution and an ability to bring a group to a decision
• 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

Desired:

• Demonstrated technical expertise in cryogenic test design and operations.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in liquid rocket engine test stand design, operation, and maintenance
• Previous experience operating in Process Safety Management (PSM) environment
• Knowledge of fabrication and integration processes, systems engineering and quality control practices
• MS in engineering or PMP certification

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.

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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.