Director, New Lunar Vehicle Integration and Test- Lunar Permanence

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

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

The Lunar I&T Director of our "New Lunar Vehicle" is responsible for leading a diverse and passionate team of engineers and technicians in the assembly, integration and test of the New Lunar Vehicle test and flight articles from initial assembly through launch vehicle integration and all the supporting infrastructure. The Director is accountable for ensuring the flight article is built with technical integrity and provide the evidence through test, demo, and inspection to meet the verification requirements and standards. The Director has direct oversight and budget authority of the assigned Production team chartered to build the vehicle, including supply, quality, tooling, manufacturing, and integration. With Support from the greater Lunar I&T team, the Director will develop the Test Plan, resource the infrastructure, and oversee the assembly. The Director executes the test events through their extended test team of Lunar & Blue support elements, at Blue, NASA, and commercial test sites. The predominance of the build, test, and launch is in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral Florida, which is the primary site for this role. We will consider highly qualified candidates in Denver CO area with the expectation of considerable travel. 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

You will work directly with NASA and our National Team Partners as part of the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) program. You will play a key role in developing this New Lunar Vehicle that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel:
  • For FL based candidate is nominally 20-30% increasing to 50% during environmental testing and segment builds outside of FL.
  • For CO based candidate is initially 30-40% increasing to 60-75% upon vehicle build and environmental testing.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Management Responsibilities:

• Oversight of, and accountability for, an extended team of up to 500 personnel across direct reports, Lunar I&T engineering team, and Blue Operations team.
• Develop and maintain the Major Assembly Integration and Test staffing plan.
• Manage 8-12 person direct report team of personnel including recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent by following and developing performance management processes.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale across all direct and supporting organizations.
• Monitor and ensure employees are trained and certified for assigned roles.
• Develop and maintain the integrated master schedule for the assembly, integration and test of the New Lunar Vehicle providing clear and early indication and communication of predecessor needs to responsible organizations.
• Cost Account Manager. Lead capital, overhead, and labor budget planning, execution with performance to plan metrics.
• Identify and manage cost, schedule, and technical risks
• Support the program's business rhythm by organizing and preparing New Lunar Vehicle I&T data and metrics for; staff meetings, operating reviews (weekly program coordination meetings), decision boards, monthly and special corporate reporting.

Engineering Responsibilities:

• Establish the technical direction for the New Lunar Vehicle Integration and Test Based on Blue Standards
• Demand and demonstrate high standards for integration and test operations. Hold accountable and work collaboratively across a diverse team of I&T Engineers, Technicians, Responsible Engineers, Quality Specialists, and other stakeholders to ensure build requirements and standards are met.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures; perform subsequent data reduction and reviews.
• Lead the team in the design, planning, fabrication, installation, and operation of test facilities to the unique requirements from business unit customers
• Lead daily test operations, operate test consoles, direct technician work and coordinate with internal customers
• Oversee root cause analysis and failure investigations, lead implementation of corrective actions or continuous improvement projects
• Oversight and direction system hazard analyses.
• Ensure facilities are designed and maintained to safely execute build and test events.
• Identify engineering opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree in engineering, or BS in sciences with >8 years demonstrated engineering
• 3+ years as a manager or direct leader of a technical team's operations
• 12+ years in an engineering operations environment in aerospace, or large industry
• Strong project management, and team leadership
• Outstanding technical and non-technical written and verbal skills
• Strong background in vehicle level of integration and test
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Demonstrated habitual drive to correct errors at their root and not pass them downstream
• Demonstrated effectiveness in setting high standards of performance and holding teams accountable
• Experience with major assembly testing as defined in industry standard SMC-S-016 or Blue corporate standards.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict-resolution and an ability to bring a group to a decision
• 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:

• Demonstrated technical expertise in major assembly testing of large spacecraft from in build checks through spacecraft environmental screening in large test chambers.
• Demonstrated technical experience in spacecraft integration to launch vehicles.
• Demonstrated technical understanding in component and system level testing
• Demonstrated effectiveness in implementing continuous improvement to improve processes, methods, and practices
• Previous experience operating in Process Safety Management environment
• Knowledge of fabrication and integration processes, systems engineering and quality control practices
• Experience with NASA design and certifications standards for human spaceflight.
• Experience with NASA certification of flight readiness process for a new system.
• Experience working on large complex programs with multiple partners.
• MS in engineering or PMP certification

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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 (DIBDS) 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, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

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.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, and dedicated workforce. 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 "EEO Is the Law," 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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

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