Director, Quality Assurance

Blue Origin; Van Horn (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Benefits package

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Director of Quality Assurance to lead the quality organization for a new production operation focused on advanced technology products in the communications and connectivity space. You will establish the quality vision, systems, and culture needed to support the operation from its earliest stages through full-rate production.

This ground-floor leadership role reports to the Senior Director of Quality Assurance and requires building practical, scalable quality solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 10+ years in quality, manufacturing, test, or operations.
• Experience leading quality management systems.
• Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9000 standards.
• Experience scaling a quality organization or facility.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Continuous-improvement mindset and problem-solving.
• Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Establish quality infrastructure, processes, and culture for a new operation.
• Build and mentor the QA organization, including staffing strategy.
• Define and execute a quality strategy for transition to manufacturing.
• Develop scalable quality management systems from ground up.
• Integrate quality across lifecycles with cross-functional teams.
• Set quality objectives, metrics, governance, and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement and corrective actions.
• Promote accountability and operational excellence.
• Ensure quality commitments across manufacturing.
• Support safe, reliable production and protect product integrity.
• Communicate with senior leadership; develop adaptable quality solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

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!

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We are developing reusable, safe, and increasingly capable space systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem-solvers as we advance Blue Origin's mission and build the infrastructure that supports humanity's future in space.

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.

The Role

As Director of Quality Assurance, you will lead the quality organization for a new production operation focused on manufacturing advanced technology products in the communications and connectivity space-physical products that help connect people and communities around the world.

You will establish the quality vision, systems, processes, and culture needed to support the operation from its earliest stages through full-rate production. Working closely with operations, engineering, program, and development leaders, you will help transition products from development into efficient, predictable, and scalable manufacturing.

This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in complex environments, builds strong cross-functional partnerships, and develops practical quality solutions with minimal direction. This position reports to the Senior Director of Quality Assurance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the site leadership team, establishing the quality infrastructure, processes, and culture for a new production operation.
• Build, lead, and mentor the Quality Assurance organization, including hiring, onboarding, organizational design, and staffing strategy.
• Define and execute a comprehensive quality strategy that supports the transition from product development to accelerated manufacturing production.
• Develop scalable quality management systems and operating mechanisms from the ground up.
• Partner with operations, engineering, program, and development teams to integrate quality throughout product and process lifecycles.
• Establish clear quality objectives, metrics, governance, and accountability across the organization.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying risks, resolving complex problems, and implementing durable corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote a culture of ownership, structure, disciplined execution, and attention to detail at every level.
• Ensure quality commitments are delivered across manufacturing operations.
• Support safe, reliable, and predictable production while protecting product integrity.
• Develop strong partnerships across Blue Origin and provide clear, timely communication to senior leadership.
• Create adaptable quality solutions that support evolving production needs and a variety of applications and systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10 or more years of experience in quality, manufacturing, test, operations, or a related field.
• Experience leading or working within quality management systems.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9000, or related quality standards, systems, and programs.
• Quality assurance or manufacturing experience across development, production, or maintenance environments.
• Strong leadership, planning, and project-management capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience establishing or significantly scaling a quality organization, production line, or manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills across manufacturing, operations, engineering, program management, and product development.
• Ability to translate business and technical requirements into practical, production-capable quality solutions.
• A continuous-improvement mindset and a record of solving complex problems with limited direction.
• Sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment.
• A leadership style grounded in accountability, collaboration, safety, and operational excellence.

Desired Qualifications

• 15 or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Master of Business Administration or another relevant advanced degree.
• Experience in highly regulated, safety-critical manufacturing environments.
• Experience transitioning products from development or prototype phases to high-volume, full-rate production.
• Experience with greenfield or brownfield site activation, including planning and implementation of facility quality infrastructure.
• Experience working in both smaller and larger organizations, with a demonstrated ability to achieve results using limited resources.
• Knowledge of design for inspection and testability.
• Knowledge of metrology equipment and systems.
• Experience working in matrixed organizations.

About the Team

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which includes Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, and Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. The organization supports Blue Origin's design, manufacturing, and operations activities by advancing system safety, engineering rigor, environmental health and safety, product integrity, and continuous improvement.

Additional Information

Travel:Significant travel, potentially 50-60%, is anticipated during the initial phase of the role. Travel will primarily support collaboration with cross-functional teams at other Blue Origin locations and development and production-readiness activities. Travel requirements may change as operations mature and will remain subject to business needs.

On-site work and relocation:This will ultimately be an on-site role, and eventual relocation to the designated work location is required. Near-term flexibility may be available depending on business needs and individual circumstances. Relocation assistance is available in accordance with Blue Origin policy.

Confidentiality

This role supports confidential work. Recruiting will provide the full extent of program and facility information available to candidates for this role. Candidates should not expect additional program or facility details to be disclosed as they move through the interview process. The standard candidate nondisclosure agreement applies.

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