Manager - Test Operations Maintenance

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.

As part of a hardworking team of technicians and engineers, you will help keep a rocket engine test stand well maintained. This role specializes in the maintenance that takes place on the test stand with as minimal disruption as possible to the actual test operation. In this role you will be responsible for leading a team of technicians as well as test engineers to perform system maintenance. Our team will ensure we have a robust Preventative Maintenance (PM) program that supports the health of the test stand, as well as flexibility to rapidly drive root cause focused solutions with emergent repairs.

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time
• This role is 1st shift, with occasional off-hour support duties

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!

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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the team in the safe execution of cryogenic and high pressure gas system maintenance, electrical and data system maintenance, as well as structural maintenance.
• Be the focal to drive a strong data driven, and planned preventive maintenance program.
• Perform root cause analysis and/or improvement projects to implement corrective actions or efficiency gains to address technical and safety related issues.
• Develop repair schedules and deliver on test asset recovery efforts due to unplanned downtime.
• Advocate for appropriate and effective downtime to ensure high reliability of the test stand.
• Organize resources both internal and external to your direct team to deliver on cost, quality, and schedule for all phases of maintaining test stand assets.
• Maintain employee training and development records.
• Lead labor and non-labor budget planning and execution.
• Prepare quantitative strategic plans to ensure the targets are met, and leverage team skills and capabilities to implement and track progress against the plans.
• Develop the next generation of leaders within the team.
• Participate in and drive root cause analysis within the team.
• Build a data set of team performance and success criteria and KPI’s and execute to them.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or equivalent experience
• Strong project management, and team leadership
• Experience with cryogenic systems maintenance
• Experience with high pressure pneumatic systems maintenance
• Experience leading a team of engineers and technicians
• Experience developing people and helping them grow their careers
• Outstanding technical and non-technical writing and verbal skills
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Work off-shift, extended hours, and weekends when necessary.
• Driven curiosity for understanding the details of our business and how to optimize it
• Outstanding organizational and analytical skills and a proven track record to drive sophisticated projects with minimal guidance
• 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

  • Advanced degree, certification, and/or training in a directly related field
  • Aerospace experience in the testing of flight hardware
  • Experience with a data driven maintenance program, and ability to evaluate and analyze data to inform decision making
  • Proven experience and successful track record developing/starting new maintenance processes.
  • Continuous improvement attitude. Our job is never complete; we are always refining and improving
  • Experience in writing procedures, to be used by technicians, to perform the removal, servicing, and installation of fluid components, instrumentation, and control systems requiring preventative maintenance.
  • Proficiency in interpreting engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and test procedures
  • Experience with inventory planning for maintenance purposes.
  • Experience with structural maintenance requirements and repairs

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.