Operations Project Engineer

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 New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse engineers and operators, you will develop the next generation of operations infrastructure for suborbital human and payload launch activities. You will be responsible for project management for projects of varying scope within the New Shepard Launch Operations team and individually contribute to the project work. This position will support all aspects of project management to include accountability and oversight of cost, schedule, technical design, risk management, and organization management. Your responsibilities may also include launch operations process development, continuous improvement, systems safety, and procedure authoring. While this role is focused on development projects for the future of New Shepard launch operations, there will be future opportunities to transition into an operations role (e.g. Flight Controller).

This job is based in either Kent, WA or Van Horn, TX with regular (10% - 25%) travel to whichever of those locations the job is not based.

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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for leading operations development activities and project management for the NS Operations team
• Develop robust plans to execute planning, development, implementation, and closeout of project milestones, products, and deliverables; manage to the key operating metrics – including technical, cost, schedule, and risk
• Apply expertise in project management, technical product maturation, and organization development to ensure the most expeditious and cost-effective implementation approach and solutions for projects
• Communicate progress to leadership team through regular status reviews
• Utilize good engineering and business judgement to ensure the most efficient and effective solutions are delivered
• Maintain strong relationships with supporting teams in coordination people and resources
• Support the NS Operations managers to recruit, hire, manage, and mentor a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team including support in managing demand signals
• Possibly serve as a flight controller on launch day following completion of a training program; respond to off-nominal scenarios, taking appropriate actions to maintain crew and astronaut safety and help lead the team to resolution of anomalies

,Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience in project management in a technical field
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated technical expertise in the test or operation of aerospace, marine, automotive, or ground support systems in one or more of the following fields: propulsion, pneumatics, cryogenics, avionics, power, controls, instrumentation, hydraulics, software, life support, test engineering, range coordination, launch operations
• Two years of demonstrated control room or operations experience in a real-time, intense, and high consequence environment
• Proven ability to effectively communicate complex technical topics to a variety of audience levels
• Strong operations planning, organizational, and coordination skills
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or another technical field
• Ability to support occasional off shift work schedules during launch campaigns
• 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

• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Experience defining requirements, performing business case analyses, and writing project proposals
• Experience with schedule and cost management
• Proven experience successfully documenting and maintaining processes for flight operations
• Experience supporting or operating crewed vehicles in aerospace, land, or sea environments
• Knowledge of current systems engineering and systems safety tools and methodologies
• Strong safety record and mentality, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical tests and operations

Compensation range for on-site WA applicants is $89,820-$125,748

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

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 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, 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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.