Director of Manufacturing - MKLander

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, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for financial and manufacturing operations in Merritt Island. This includes building and leading a skilled, interdisciplinary team, responsible for Structural Module builds and integration of subsystems into the space vehicle. This is a hands‑on position that requires the ability to communicate the vision, strategy and tactical application of cost-effective strategies and key deliverables.

It requires you to collaborate through the design life cycle providing guidance to improve manufacturability and assembly while reducing cost and lead time. You will report directly to the Vice President of Lunar Manufacturing Operations.

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

• Champion safety always and first‑time quality across all functions while growing and developing your team at all levels.
• Lead manufacturing operations to include manufacturing engineering, quality, tooling engineering, supply chain, and production across the assembly and integration areas and work centers at the assigned facility.
• Collaborate with Program partners to improve design through DFx initiatives reducing cost, cycle time, and lead time.
• Direct initiatives and strategies that deliver cost effective, high quality, operational performance that produces the development of orbital launch vehicles for payload and human spaceflight.
• Building leadership team and creating the organizational architecture to scale the Lunar manufacturing operations team rapidly.
• Improve production efficiency by optimizing factory flow, increasing throughput, enhancing first pass yield, output, learning curve, and supplier delivery.
• Disseminate key operational takeaways and standard processes to drive improvement within Blue Operations.
• Evaluate processes at micro and macro levels, then implement impactful improvements for safety, quality, reduced costs, and faster deliveries.
• Oversee the development and implementation of data driven systems with a lean approach with a focus on delivering results.
• Apply Blue Origin's Leadership Principles to develop a trusting, learning culture of leaders through continuous feedback, coaching and robust development opportunities. Encourage a "One Team Attitude".

• Proven knowledge in building or transforming successful production operation organizations and leading large‑scale change management initiatives that influence culture, define tools & processes and improve competencies.
• BA or BS degree or equivalent experience with emphasis in Operation Management or Manufacturing Engineering and progressive responsibility increases.
• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge and applied experiences in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Experience leading, growing and developing large teams in a multi‑business unit integrated supply chain organization.
• Advanced knowledge in designing and building successful delivery of manufacturing, production, assembly, procurement, and logistics in a low volume high complexity environment.
• Strong business insight. Demonstrated experience challenging the status quo, inspiring change, and teaching and motivating individuals to develop and implement new ways of thinking and doing business.
• Understands how to create and manage work cell…