Manager - Test Operations (Maintenance and Test Support)

Company: Blue Origin
Location: Seattle
Posted on: May 9, 2025

Job Description:

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will support the maintenance, operation, development, and some construction of Blue Origin's test facilities in Kent. This is a hands-on management position directing skilled labor in execution of work to drive reliability and efficiencies to support company testing goals. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable testing.We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!Management Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise skilled maintenance personnel at the Kent test stands and AFRL test stand technicians, including but not limited to: tasking, training, coaching/mentoring, conducting performance reviews and performance management, supporting budget and project management, and recruiting (participate in interviews and hiring decisions),
• Communicate between multiple, geographically-diverse organizations to ensure standardization of Test Operations practices
• Coordinate maintenance in collaboration with demanding customer test needs
• Proactively perform schedule, resource, cost estimation, management, and tracking exercises to minimize impacts
• Demonstrate high standards in maintenance operations and work cooperatively with a diverse team of technicians, Responsible Engineers and internal Blue Origin customers to ensure requirements are met
• Ensure that each member of the team performs to his/her duty to his/her maximum capability.
• Create a collaborative work environment with team by communicating effectively and encouraging them to develop themselves
• Proactively prepares status updates and communicates both within the organization and with direct customers
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with Blue Origin policies and procedures
• Assists in the development of Kent Test policies and procedures to support AS9100
• Actively model Blue Origin Leadership Principles and hold the team accountable for demonstrating themTechnical Responsibilities:
  • Determine tactical solutions to drive down maintenance timelines, increase reliability of testing equipment, and reduce costs.
  • Support data mining activities to understand trends and provide resolution
  • Learn and train direct-reports on performance of routine work
  • Aid root cause analysis and failure investigations.Minimum Qualifications:
    • 5+ years in an operations environment in industry or aerospace facilities.
    • Strong communication skills required with ability to meet demanding customer test needs
    • Ability and desire to understand complex systems, investigate and solve challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment.
    • Demonstratable mechanical aptitude.
    • A safety mindset.
    • Strong management and team leadership skills.
    • Understanding of hazardous operations and design for system safety
    • 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:
      • BS degree in engineering and direct experience with maintenance or test stand operations OR significant skilled, hands-on experience directly related to maintenance or aerospace component testing.
      • Prior experience in leadership roles such as team lead, supervisor, or organizer.
      • Demonstrated technical expertise in test stand operations, and maintenance: pressurized gas systems, cryogenics, fluid systems, instrumentation and controls, ASME codes, and local building standards
      • 10+ years of experience in the maintenance or operation of test facilities or similar experimental research facilities.
      • Job related training in leadership similar to "crucial conversations", "leadership 101", "team building", etc.
      • Knowledge of inventory and tracking systems
      • Knowledge of data acquisition and control systems and complex software.
      • Experience with 3D CAD, data management, configuration management, etc.Compensation Range for:WA applicants is $136,230.00-$190,720.95Other site ranges may differInclusivity StatementDon'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 RegulationsApplicants 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 (DIBDS) 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, 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.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 OpportunityBlue 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 .Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants 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.California Applicant Privacy NoticeIf you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice .

Keywords: Blue Origin, Sammamish , Manager - Test Operations (Maintenance and Test Support), Professions , Seattle, Washington