Business Operational Excellence, Director

Blue Origin; Washington; On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Locations: Kent, WA or Huntsville, AL

Job summary

Blue Origin, a leader in space exploration, seeks an experienced Director to join the Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations team. You will drive the Business Operations function, scaling production across programs and aligning with strategic objectives.

This role requires cross-functional leadership and a focus on operational excellence across multiple sites. You will partner with executives to streamline processes, optimize resources, and manage large enterprise initiatives with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, operations or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, project management, operations, or finance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and manage complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic team of project managers, 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 large-scale capacity expansion projects meet schedule, budget, and performance goals.
• Coordinate strategy, technology, manufacturing, finance, and operations for optimal outcomes.
• Identify risks to production and develop mitigation plans.
• Manage dependencies across multiple products, projects, and teams.
• Drive continuous improvement and process innovations.
• Serve as liaison between external teams and New Glenn Operations leadership.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and communicate progress.

Skills

Strategic program management

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Presentation and executive briefings

Problem solving and critical thinking

Relentless pursuit of operational效率

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business management, Operations / Supply Chain management or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Project

Tableau

Databricks

Claude Code

Job description

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 manuf