Manager - Advanced Manufacturing and Process 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.

About Blue Origin

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We are 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 (Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, Mission Assurance) and supports Manufacturing and Supply Chain across all Blue Origin facilities.

Summary

Lead a Manufacturing and Tooling Development team of early-career and senior engineers who design, develop, prototype, qualify, and transition to production the automated manufacturing processes, tooling, and ground infrastructure that produce launch vehicle hardware. The team covers welding, inspection, machining, and additive processes, and builds the automated cells and tooling that run them. You will own hiring, performance, technical direction, and delivery for the team, and you will represent the function with peer managers, engineering leadership, and program customers.

Responsibilities

Lead the team

- Build, grow, and retain a team of Manufacturing and Process Development Engineers and Manufacturing and Tooling Development Engineers across early-career and senior levels.
- Set technical direction, prioritize across competing program demands, and allocate engineers to the right problems.
- Run performance management, career development, mentorship, and succession planning.
- Partner with recruiting to source, interview, and close candidates.
- Build a hands-on, in-house build culture: your engineers design, program, wire, commission, and debug the cells they own, with external integrators engaged where it makes sense.

Deliver the function

- Own the development and qualification of manufacturing processes (welding, inspection, machining, additive) and the automated cells and tooling that run them, from concept through production transition.
- Own the development of tooling, fixtures, and ground support infrastructure of moderate to high complexity.
- Lead workflow modeling, facility layout, capacity analysis, and resource planning to support scalable operations.
- Identify and drive vertical integration, automation, and new-process-introduction opportunities to improve cost, schedule, and quality.
- Own capital expenditure justifications for cells, tooling, and equipment. Track project budgets and report on cost and schedule performance.
- Represent the team at Design Gated Reviews. Apply DFM and DFT principles early in design.
- Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement across the processes, cells, and tooling the team owns.
- Coordinate with suppliers and external tooling partners on design studies, fabrication, and acceptance.
- Provide data-driven recommendations to leadership on investment in automation, workforce allocation, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Enforce safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Minimum Qualifications

- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, tooling design, or automation cell integration, with demonstrated progression into technical leadership.
- 2+ years of direct management or formal technical lead experience (performance management, hiring, mentoring, budget ownership).
- Demonstrated delivery of process development or tooling programs from concept through production validation.
- Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes: welding, non-destructive inspection, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, assembly.
- Experience with automated manufacturing cells (industrial robots, cobots, machine vision, PLC controls) and the tooling and fixturing that support them.
- Experience developing cost estimates, defending capital expenditure justifications, and tracking project budgets.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and comfort with digital manufacturing tools.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and industry standards.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in a fast-paced, evolving production environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication across engineering, program management, and executive audiences.
- Must meet U.S. export control eligibility (citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).

Desired

Leadership

- Direct experience managing engineers across early-career and senior levels in a hands-on technical environment.
- Track record of building teams: hiring, onboarding, and retention.
- Experience leading cross-functional programs across design, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality.
- Experience partnering with Factory Automation, controls / software, or systems engineering counterparts.

Technical depth

- M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Materials Engineering.
- Domain depth in one or more of: aluminum welding metallurgy, laser welding, friction stir welding, non-destructive inspection method qualification (AWS D17.1, AS9100, PAUT, eddy current), precision machining, CNC machining operations, or additive processes (LFAM, WAAM, cold spray).
- Experience with large-scale structures, cryogenic tank manufacturing, or propulsion system assembly.
- Experience developing or deploying automation, robotics, modular tooling, or reconfigurable fixtures.
- Familiarity with PLM / MRP systems and model-based definition workflows.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

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.