Manufacturing Director - Lunar Tanks

Application close date:

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!

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth and are creating the future that will bring that vision to life. We are developing reusable, safe, and low-cost launch vehicles to take our space systems to the Moon and beyond while focusing on a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we take humanity back to the Moon and beyond.

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance, encompassing operational execution support across all Blue Origin facilities.

Position Summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced and strategicManufacturing Director - Lunar Tanksto lead the development, manufacturing, and delivery of pressure vessels (tanks) to support both Lunar Cargo and Human Rated Landers. This is a hands on leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of tank fabrication, testing, and operational readiness.

The ideal candidate is a technically credible, results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment. You will own aligning manufacturing efficiency, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating a team culture rooted in Blue Origin's core value of safety first.

This role will report to the Vice President of Operations for Lunar Cargo Landers and will be based at Blue'sRocket Park Manufacturing Complex at Merritt Island, FL.

Key Responsibilities

Program Ownership & Technical Leadership

• Own end-to-end responsibility for propellant tank manufacturing process development, from build and flow and work instruction development through inspection, cleaning, and test
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of Technicians, Welders, and Manufacturing Engineers
• Drive collaborative manufacturing technical decision-making to drive efficient manufacturing processes and safe and effective testing strategies, ensuring robust, consistent, and reliable process capability
• Understanding of Welding manufacturing processes, including Stir Friction Welding, Variable Polarity Plasma Arc(VPPA) Welding, Orbital Tube Welding, and Manual Welding.
• Champion Design for X (DFX) principles - including Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and Design for Test (DFT) - to reduce cost and cycle time without compromising safety or quality
• Collaborate proactively with Engineering in the early stages of product development to lead and support design for manufacturability (DFM) initiatives

Team Leadership & People Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of managers, manufacturing engineers, technicians, and support personnel
• Set clear performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and inclusion
• Identify and develop future leaders within the tank organization
• Communicate vision, priorities, and progress effectively at all levels of the organization - from shop floor technicians to executive leadership

Program Execution & Delivery

• Develop and manage production schedules, budgets, resource plans, and capital equipment planning to meet delivery milestones
• Own department budgets, staffing levels, and capital equipment planning and implementation
• Lead production readiness reviews and participate in test readiness reviews as applicable
• Track and communicate key performance indicators including cost, schedule, quality, and safety metrics
• Anticipate production risks and develop robust mitigation strategies to protect delivery commitments

• Represent the Lunar Manufacturing Operations organization in vehicle-level integration reviews, program milestones, and gated reviews as required
• Engage with customers, regulators (FAA, NASA), and external stakeholders as required
• Present production status, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership and executive staff

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities across tank manufacturing and test operations, capturing the impact of improvements to safety, quality, and process efficiency
• Leverage the use of automation where appropriate to improve consistency and improve product quality
• Leverage and drive the use of manufacturing execution system (MES) and the implementation Material Resource Planning (MRP)
• Benchmark industry best practices and drive innovation across the tank product line

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering (or other relevant fields) from an accredited university
• 15+ years of relevant engineering and manufacturing support experience
• Experience leading cross functional manufacturing teams including Welders, Technicians, Inspectors, and Manufacturing Engineering teams in research, development, and production environments thru rapid development cycles
• Advanced experience in complex hardware manufacturing (e.g., friction-stir welding, machining, cleaning, non-destructive testing methods, complex assembly, and acceptance testing)
• Engineering leadership experience in an aerospace environment with space hardware, aircraft, or similar mission-critical, high-value components
• Previous experience and demonstrated success in developing and starting new manufacturing processes
• Strong personnel and project management skills
• Ability to operate, make decisions, and lead effectively in ambiguous environments
• Proficiency in business and engineering software (e.g., MS Office, Windchill, PLM, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively and earn trust at all levels of the organization
• Ability to work across multiple teams and contribute to a culture of inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering (or other relevant fields) from an accredited university
• Advanced experience with complex manufacturing hardware (e.g., castings, forgings, additively manufactured components, welding, machining, NDT methods, complex assembly, and acceptance testing)
• Previous engineering leadership experience during a facility activation or product line transition
• Ability to provide guidance and mentoring on GD&T, interferences, and improvements to models for simple to medium complexity tooling

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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.