Director- Manufacturing Quality Assurance

Socket.dev; Washington; On-site; USD 203,000 - 284,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Kent, WA seeks a Director of Quality Assurance to lead the quality organization, drive continuous improvement, and partner with operations and program teams. This senior role oversees the Quality Management System, supports accelerated manufacturing, and guides quality strategies across all facilities.

The ideal candidate will have extensive aerospace quality experience and a proven leadership track record.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.A degree required.
• 10+ years’ experience in quality, manufacturing, test, or operations field
• Past experience leading or working in quality management systems; familiarity with AS9100 or ISO9000 and/or related quality systems and programs

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Quality Assurance staff at the Kent, Washington Blue Origin sites.
• Drive quality products throughout the organization by maintaining a culture of accountability and attention to detail.
• Deliver quality commitments across manufacturing operations.
• Identify and mitigate quality risks; develop operable solutions and maintain an elite quality system.
• Collaborate with external customers on quality concerns and participate in investigations to resolve issues.
• Lead compliance with the Blue Origin Quality Management System and coordinate with third‑party certifiers.
• Perform health assessments and audits to ensure adherence to standards.
• Lead budgeting, variance analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Project management

Education

BA degree

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Quality Management System (QMS)

AS9100

ISO 9000

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 benefits 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.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefits 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 the 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.

The Director, Quality Assurance is a leader who believes strong partnerships with operations and program teams is a requirement to be a world class manufacturing company. In this role, you will lead the Kent, WA quality team. You will set the vision, drive continuous improvement, and partner with your cross-functional leaders in the Washington manufacturing sites as well as the larger Blue Origin team. The Director, Quality Assurance will have a passion for solving sophisticated problems and providing operable solutions; responsibly take initiative under minimal direction; and be adaptable as you will work on a variety of applications and systems. We are looking for an individual that can implement innovative quality management system solutions, supporting accelerated manufacturing production, innovative technology and research activities, as well as efficient, predictable production capable solutions that will support sub-orbital & orbital manufacturing & launch. This position will fall under the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance and directly impact the history of space exploration. It will require dedication and detailed attention towards excelling safe and reusable space flight.

This role is part of the Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance team, which focuses on monitoring and assessing processes that guide Blue Origin design, manufacture, and operations, ensuring system safety engineering, environmental health and safety, product integrity, and continuous improvement processes serve the Blue Origin Mission and Vision.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Quality Assurance staff at the Kent, Washington Blue Origin sites:
• Drive quality products throughout the organization by maintaining a culture that emphasizes accountability, structure, and attention to detail at all levels.
• Delivery of business/program Quality commitments across manufacturing operations.
• Work with leadership to identify, lead, and develop the quality actions vital to ensuring program success and meeting contractual promises.
• Identify and mitigate quality risks, demonstrating ownership and teamwork to develop operable solutions and maintain an elite quality system.
• Collaborate with external customers on quality related concerns and participate in customer quality investigations to resolve preventable actions.
• Evaluate customer requirements, perform initial program planning, identify approach for any niche requirements.
• Implement engineering design reviews and make recommendations to improve the quality and manufacturability of new designs.
• Lead all aspects of the Blue Origin Quality Management System compliance, integration and improvements including interface and coordination with 3rd Party certification bodies.
• Execute health assessment process methodologies and perform periodic audits of the application of our quality system, maintaining compliance with company and identified industry standards.
• Lead Quality Assurance business objectives: prepares budgets, analyzes variances, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and leads/mentors teams through robust RCCA when required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.A degree required.
• 10+ years’ experience in quality, manufacturing, test, or operations field
• Past experience leading or working in quality management systems; familiarity with AS9100 or ISO9000 and/or related quality systems and programs
• Quality Assurance/Manufacturing experience in development, production, and maintenance environments
• Strong experience in leadership, planning, and project management

Desired

• 15+ years total work experience
• MBA Preferred
• Experience in aerospace, space launch, military or commercial aviation
• Blend of small/midsized firm and large firm experience, ability to maximum success using limited resources.
• Knowledge of design for inspection or testability
• Knowledge of metrology equipment
• Experience with matrix led organizations

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30

Other site ranges may differ

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,