Manager, Manufacturing Ops & Assembly

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!

Blue Origin is seeking a Manager, Manufacturing Ops & Assembly to lead mission-critical manufacturing operations for the New Glenn launch vehicle at our Space Coast, Florida facility. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will own end-to-end operational accountability for a 20-30+ person team across 24/7 shift operations, driving excellence in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

In this role, you will be responsible for building and scaling a high-performing manufacturing operation from the ground up. You'll spend meaningful time on the manufacturing floor troubleshooting technical challenges, implementing lean process improvements, and ensuring consistent execution across all shifts. This position requires a leader with very strong ownership mentality who can balance operational excellence with the technical rigor demanded by aerospace manufacturing.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided

Operational Leadership & 24/7 Accountability

• Lead and develop a 20-30+ person manufacturing team across multiple shifts (day, night, weekend) with full operational accountability
• Ensure consistent execution of safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics across all shifts regardless of staffing changes
• Build and maintain shift handoff processes that eliminate information loss and quality gaps
• Serve as escalation point for critical issues across all shifts; maintain availability for operational emergencies
• Drive team engagement, retention, and development; maintain attrition rates below industry benchmarks

Fabrication & Manufacturing Excellence

• Provide hands-on leadership and technical expertise in fabrication processes and precision manufacturing operations
• Personally troubleshoot manufacturing defects, validate workmanship, and make confident technical decisions on the floor
• Ensure compliance with aerospace workmanship standards (IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, or equivalent) and regulatory frameworks (AS9100, NADCAP, DCMA)
• Implement and sustain manufacturing processes that meet mission-critical quality and reliability requirements
• Drive design-for-manufacturability collaboration with engineering teams

Lean & Process Improvement

• Identify and eliminate waste across manufacturing operations using lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles
• Lead kaizen events, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis initiatives
• Implement process improvements that deliver measurable results in cycle time reduction, defect rate improvement, and cost savings
• Use data and metrics to identify bottlenecks, validate solutions, and track sustained improvements
• Build a culture of continuous improvement where team members at all levels contribute ideas and drive change

Safety, Quality, Delivery & Cost (SQDC) Performance

• Own and drive performance across all four operational pillars with measurable, quantifiable results
• Safety: Maintain zero recordable incidents; build proactive safety culture and hazard identification processes
• Quality: Achieve and sustain defect rates and first-pass yield targets; implement error-proofing and prevention strategies
• Delivery: Meet or exceed on-time delivery commitments; manage capacity planning and schedule adherence
• Cost: Drive labor efficiency, material utilization, and operational cost improvements while maintaining quality standards
• Report performance metrics transparently; proactively communicate risks and mitigation plans

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Navigate matrix organization to drive decisions laterally across engineering, quality, supply chain, and program management teams
• Advocate for manufacturing operations' needs while understanding constraints across other departments
• Partner with engineering on design reviews, process validation, and manufacturability assessments
• Collaborate with quality on inspection planning, acceptance criteria, and corrective action implementation
• Coordinate with supply chain on material availability, vendor quality, and inventory management

Ownership & Accountability

• Demonstrate very strong ownership mentality-treat operational outcomes as personal responsibility
• Make sound decisions with incomplete information; adjust course as new data emerges
• Hold yourself and your team to the highest standards; lead by example in following procedures and protocols
• Take initiative to solve problems proactively rather than waiting for direction
• Accept accountability for results across all shifts and all aspects of the operation

Work Authorization & Location

• Must be a U.S. citizen, national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum (required for aerospace/defense work)
• Must be willing to relocate to Space Coast, Florida (on-site role with 24/7 shift coverage requirements; no remote/hybrid option)
• Must be available to start within 2-4 weeks of offer acceptance

Fabrication Experience (MUST HAVE)

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in fabrication and precision manufacturing operations
• Direct personal experience performing fabrication processes, troubleshooting defects, and making technical decisions on the production floor
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments (AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent quality management systems)
• Deep familiarity with aerospace workmanship standards and acceptance criteria (IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, or equivalent)
• Proven ability to implement and sustain manufacturing processes that meet mission-critical quality requirements

Leadership & Team Management

• Minimum 3+ years of experience directly leading manufacturing teams of 15+ people
• Proven track record leading teams across multiple shifts (day, night, weekend) with demonstrated consistency in performance
• Experience building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams; track record of attrition rates below industry benchmarks
• Ability to develop shift supervisors and team leads into effective leaders
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build psychological safety and trust across diverse teams

Lean & Process Improvement

• Demonstrated experience applying lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Proven track record of identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing data-driven solutions with measurable results
• Experience leading kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone), or similar improvement initiatives
• Ability to cite specific, quantifiable improvements (e.g., "reduced cycle time by 30%," "improved first-pass yield from 85% to 96%," "decreased cost per unit by 15%")

SQDC Performance & Metrics

• Track record of driving measurable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Experience using data and metrics to identify root causes, validate solutions, and sustain improvements
• Comfort with transparency in reporting performance and proactively communicating risks
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities across all four operational pillars

Ownership & Problem-Solving

• Very strong ownership mentality with demonstrated accountability for operational outcomes
• Proven ability to make sound decisions with incomplete information and adjust course based on new data
• Experience navigating ambiguity, rapid growth, or startup phase operations
• Proactive problem-solving approach; takes initiative rather than waiting for direction

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related technical field
• Experience with electronics assembly, composite fabrication, or precision metal fabrication in aerospace applications
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt)
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations through rapid growth phases
• Familiarity with MES/ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar)
• Experience with DCMA compliance and government contract manufacturing
• Previous experience in space launch vehicle, satellite, or aircraft manufacturing

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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