Manager - Test Operations (Maintenance and Test Support)

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

As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will support the maintenance, operation, development, and some construction of Blue Origin’s test facilities in Kent. This is a hands-on management position directing skilled labor in execution of work to drive reliability and efficiencies to support company testing goals. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable testing.

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:

• Directly supervise skilled maintenance personnel at the Kent test stands and AFRL test stand technicians, including but not limited to: tasking, training, coaching/mentoring, conducting performance reviews and performance management, supporting budget and project management, and recruiting (participate in interviews and hiring decisions),

• Communicate between multiple, geographically-diverse organizations to ensure standardization of Test Operations practices

• Coordinate maintenance in collaboration with demanding customer test needs

• Proactively perform schedule, resource, cost estimation, management, and tracking exercises to minimize impacts

• Demonstrate high standards in maintenance operations and work cooperatively with a diverse team of technicians, Responsible Engineers and internal Blue Origin customers to ensure requirements are met

• Ensure that each member of the team performs to his/her duty to his/her maximum capability.

• Create a collaborative work environment with team by communicating effectively and encouraging them to develop themselves

• Proactively prepares status updates and communicates both within the organization and with direct customers

• Ensure work is completed in accordance with Blue Origin policies and procedures

• Assists in the development of Kent Test policies and procedures to support AS9100

• Actively model Blue Origin Leadership Principles and hold the team accountable for demonstrating them

Technical Responsibilities:

• Determine tactical solutions to drive down maintenance timelines, increase reliability of testing equipment, and reduce costs.

• Support data mining activities to understand trends and provide resolution

• Learn and train direct-reports on performance of routine work

• Aid root cause analysis and failure investigations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years in an operations environment in industry or aerospace facilities.

• Strong communication skills required with ability to meet demanding customer test needs

• Ability and desire to understand complex systems, investigate and solve challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment.

• Demonstratable mechanical aptitude.

• A safety mindset.

• Strong management and team leadership skills.

• Understanding of hazardous operations and design for system safety

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a 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:

• BS degree in engineering and direct experience with maintenance or test stand operations OR significant skilled, hands-on experience directly related to maintenance or aerospace component testing.

• Prior experience in leadership roles such as team lead, supervisor, or organizer.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in test stand operations, and maintenance: pressurized gas systems, cryogenics, fluid systems, instrumentation and controls, ASME codes, and local building standards

• 10+ years of experience in the maintenance or operation