Business Operational Excellence, Director

Blue Origin; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Director to join the Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations team within Blue Operations. You will lead a strategic program management office, guiding project managers, analysts, and consultants to scale production across multiple programs.

You will partner with executives to optimize processes, improve capacity, and align resources with company objectives. Relocation is provided; locations include Kent, WA or Huntsville, AL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, operations or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, project management, operations, or finance.
• Experience leading and managing high performing teams.
• Advanced presentation, communication, and visualization skills; readiness to brief senior executives on short notice.
• Familiarity with Lean, Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, etc.
• Proficiency with project management tools (Jira/Confluence, Teams, Microsoft Project).

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic team of project managers, in-house consultants, and analysts.
• Manage rhythm of business reviews for Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations.
• Oversee space utilization strategy across three sites in three states.
• Ensure effective management of large-scale capacity expansion projects for schedule, budget, and performance.
• Coordinate between strategy, technology, manufacturing, finance, and business operations.
• Identify risks to production, including resource gaps or timelines.
• Manage dependencies across products and teams.
• Develop contingency plans to ensure program success.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions.
• Act as liaison between external teams and New Glenn Operations leadership.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and align on objectives.
• Facilitate regular progress updates and reviews.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Presentation & communication

Lean / Six Sigma knowledge

Project management

Problem solving

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering / business / operations or related field

Tools

Jira/Confluence

Microsoft Project

Tableau / Databricks

Value Stream Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

A3 problem solving

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 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.

We are seeking an experienced Director to join our Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations team within Blue Operations and drive the Business Operations team. This role will be at the intersection of Operations, Strategy, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Business Operations within Blue Origin's largest, rapidly growing Operations group. In this role you will rely on your technical, operational, and business expertise to help us scale production across many programs to new levels in record time.

This role combines a number of different aspects around leading large-scale enterprise programs and projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and aligning with organizational strategic goals. In this role, you will partner with executive leaders to develop and manage initiatives that drive operations strategy; streamline business processes; increase manufacturing capacity, optimize resource allocation; and enhance overall effectiveness across Operations.

This role requires multi-disciplinary expertise in managing complex, cross-functional projects that are impactful, measurable, and tightly aligned with the program’s priorities. You will work closely with the Operations leadership team and stakeholders across other organizations to identify and drive operational improvements, manage projects and budgets, and ensure successful execution of critical efforts.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Locations: Kent, Washington or Huntsville, Alabama

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead a strategic team of specialized project managers, in-house consultants, and analysts
• Manage the rhythm of business reviews for Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations.
• Manage space utilization strategy across three sites in three different states, ensuring all required processes have a home and that required transitions are managed.
• Ensure effective management of large scale capacity expansion projects for schedule, budget, and performance success.
• Manage the complex interplay between strategy, technology, manufacturing, finance, and business operations.
• Proactively identify potential risks to production success, including resource gaps, timeline delays, or budgetary constraints.
• Identify and manage complex dependencies across multiple products, projects, and teams in the enterprise.
• Develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies to ensure successful program outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies in current processes and implementing innovative solutions.
• Act as key liaison between external teams and New Glenn Operations leadership to ensure operations objectives are met.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment on program objectives and priorities.
• Facilitate regular updates, and reviews to communicate progress.

Minimum Qualifications

• Intellectual curiosity is a must!
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, Operations / Supply Chain management or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, project management, operations, or finance.
• Experience leading and managing high performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and understand implied underlying task requirements
• Willingness to personally accomplish key tasks in addition to effective delegation for leveraging entire team
• Advanced skills in presentation, communication, and visualization tools. Readiness to brief senior executives effectively on short notice
• Familiarity with key manufacturing concepts: Lean, Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, etc
• Competence with key manufacturing tools and techniques. Examples: Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, Hoshin Kanri planning, TPM
• Competence with AI and data analysis tools: Claude Code or similar, Tableau, Databricks
• Proven success managing large-scale, enterprise-wide programs with measurable impact on operational efficiency and strategic goals.
• Proficiency in project and project management tools (e.g., Jira Confluence, Teams, Microsoft Project).
• Proactive problem-solving approach with the ability to anticipate challenges and implement solution

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or PMP Certification preferred.
• Prior experience in scaling operations for manufacturing, test, or logistics.
• Experience in establishing simulated and calculated capacity modeling skills in complex stand-up environments.

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.

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 Aff'd Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.