Terawave Propulsion Senior Manager

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!  

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

As senior manager of the TeraWave propulsion team, you will play a key foundational role in the development of the Hall thruster-based propulsion systems that maneuver the TeraWave constellation satellites as well as the propulsion team itself. TeraWave is a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

We are seeking a dynamic Senior Manager to lead our Terawave Propulsion Development & Production organization at Blue Origin.  This role will oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers across various domains including electric propulsion, electric propulsion power electronics, thermal, structural, manufacturing, test, production, and quality engineering. The ideal candidate will drive integration and innovation across these disciplines, developing solutions that advance Blue Origin's mission to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space.

If you share our passion for propulsion system development and testing, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross-functional teams of broad individuals, are experienced and skilled in several relevant areas listed below, continuously seek out opportunities to learn and improve, and do not allow title or job description to limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, then we would love to hear from you.

Special Considerations

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of technical professionals across multiple engineering disciplines
• Establish team vision, roadmap, and operational structure to deliver on strategic objectives
• Drive technical integration across various specialties, ensuring cohesive solutions that meet program needs
• Collaborate with program leadership to define technical priorities and resource allocation
• Facilitate cross-functional partnerships with other Blue Origin organizations
• Identify and mitigate technical risks across multiple domains
• Champion innovation while maintaining focus on practical, implementable solutions
• Establish and maintain technical standards and best practices across disciplines
• Develop metrics and reporting structures to track team performance and project progress
• Represent Advanced Capabilities in senior leadership forums and strategic planning activities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or related high-tech industry
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams
• 5+ years experience with propulsion systems
• Demonstrated success leading complex technical projects involving multiple engineering domains
• Strong understanding of spacecraft engineering principles and practices
• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into tactical execution plans and lead teams to execute such plans
• Track record of delivering results in highly technical environments on short schedules

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline
• Experience in two or more of the team's technical domains (electric propulsion, electric propulsion power electronics, thermal, structural, manufacturing, and/or test engineering)
• Background in developing innovative capabilities for space systems
• Experience in high-production rate environments
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application to aerospace challenges
• History of successful collaboration across disciplines
• Program/project management certification or equivalent experience

Personal Characteristics:

• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills