Manager, Tooling Engineering

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.

Blue Origin is developing the next generation space flight hardware. In this role, you will manage and inspire a group of highly skilled mechanical design engineers responsible for creating tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) for our aerospace programs. Your leadership will drive the manufacturing, testing, and delivery of hardware that supports business units across the company. As a manager, you are expected to provide both technical guidance and people leadership—setting a clear technical direction and empowering your team to address complex manufacturing challenges. You will champion the adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies and oversee the development of systems and processes that ensure consistent, high-quality results.

As a people leader, you will work closely with your team members to define clear goals, develop career paths, and establish roles, responsibilities, and accountability. Your efforts will have a direct impact on the future of space exploration, requiring a strong commitment to safety, repeatability, and quality in human spaceflight. We seek a candidate who brings technical expertise, effective leadership, and a passion for our mission to advance safe and reliable human spaceflight.

Responsibilities:

- Build and mentor a high-performing team of mechanical design engineers, supporting their personal and professional development
- Prepare and deliver both informal and formal performance reviews
- Communicate tooling priorities, timelines, and obstacles to stakeholders and leadership
- Balance and prioritize multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Manage staffing to ensure progress on all business unit and organizational objectives
- Drive engineering project execution, develop project plans, discuss technical trade-offs, manage risks, track and report on status, and resolve blocking issues
- Provide technical support to engineers on large-scale tooling and GSE solutions as needed
- Evaluate business cases for proposed upgrades to ensure a strong return on investment
- Explore alternative requirements and design approaches to simplify systems and reduce costs
- Promote results-driven planning and a commitment to continuous process improvement
- Conduct conceptual and detailed design reviews of tooling and fixtures supporting the manufacture of engine and flight hardware
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot technical and non-technical issues

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical, structural, aerospace, electrical, manufacturing, or a related engineering field
- 5+ years of experience in the design and integration of mechanical systems (e.g., mechanisms, power transmission, hydraulics, fluid systems), electrical systems and components, control systems, support structures, and/or lifting fixtures
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage schedules and budgets, and ensure timely project completion
- Proven track record of successful project delivery
- Knowledge of tooling and equipment commissioning, testing, qualification, and maintenance
- Experience with design software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, or PTC Creo/Windchill
- Experience with engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS Workbench, FEMAP, NASTRAN, NX Advanced Simulation, or ProE Simulate/Mechanical

Desired:

- Extensive management experience within the aerospace or a related industry
- Expertise in design for manufacturability and design for assembly (DFx), including experience taking products from initial development through rate production
- Strong understanding of manufacturing materials, GD&T, and tolerance/stack-up analysis
- Experience with FEA (finite element analysis) and hand calculations
- Familiarity with industry standards, such as ASME BTH-1, ASME B30.20, D17.1, D1.1, and ASME Y14.5
- Customer-oriented with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience writing statements of work for engineering systems and 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.