Manager, System Prototyping Rapid Development

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.

The System Prototyping team is a hands-on fabrication and development group responsible for building mechanical prototypes, composite structures, and soft goods in support of early-stage design and program development. The team partners closely with internal engineering customers to translate concepts into physical hardware quickly and with high quality.

We are seeking an experienced people manager to lead a small team of technicians in day-to-day prototyping operations. This role is both operational and relational — the right candidate will be equally comfortable managing workflow on the shop floor, communicating with internal customers, and handling the administrative responsibilities of running a skilled fabrication team.

Assign and prioritize daily/weekly work across 9 technicians based on customer demand and team capacity

Conduct yearly performance reviews and ongoing feedback/coaching

Support team development, training, and skill-building in prototyping disciplines

Foster a safe, collaborative, and high-performing shop culture

Serve as the primary point of contact for internal engineering customers

Translating customer requirements into actionable work assignments

Provide status updates, manage expectations, and escalation schedule or technical conflicts as needed

Collaborate with customers to scope new prototyping requests and define deliverables

Manage material and tooling procurement to support active and upcoming builds

Maintain shop readiness including inventory, equipment availability, and consumables

Track and manage budget associated with materials and tooling purchases

Identify and resolve day-to-day operational blockers

5+ years of experience in a hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or prototyping environment

2+ years of direct people management or team lead experience

Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: mechanical prototyping, composite fabrication, soft goods manufacturing

Strong organizational and workload management skills

Excellent communication skills — ability to interface effectively with both shop floor technicians and engineering stakeholders

Experience with material/tooling procurement and vendor coordination

Experience managing in an aerospace, defense, or R&D prototyping environment

Familiarity with composites processing (layup, cure, finishing) and/or soft goods techniques (pattern making, sewing, assembly)

Experience using shop management or work order tracking tools

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related technical field (or equivalent experience)

This is a fully on-site role requiring regular presence on the shop floor

May require occasional support outside of standard hours to meet program milestones

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