Prototyping Ops Lead - Mechanical & Systems

Blue Origin; Florida; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Stock options

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced prototyping Team Lead to guide a small group of technicians on day-to-day fabrication and development tasks. The role blends operations, leadership, and customer communication to deliver rapid, high-quality prototypes for early-stage design and program development.

You will manage workflow, coach team members, and handle administrative responsibilities while collaborating with internal engineering customers on scope, deliverables, and timelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or prototyping environment.
• 2+ years of direct people management or team lead experience.
• Experience in mechanical prototyping, composite fabrication, or soft goods manufacturing.
• Strong organizational and workload management skills.
• Excellent communication with shop floor technicians and engineering stakeholders.
• Experience with material/tooling procurement and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Assign and prioritize daily/weekly work across 9 technicians based on demand and capacity.
• Conduct yearly performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback and coaching.
• Support team development, training, and skill-building in prototyping disciplines.
• Foster a safe, collaborative, and high-performing shop culture.
• Serve as the primary contact for internal engineering customers and translate requirements into actionable work.
• Provide status updates, manage expectations, and escalate conflicts as needed.
• Scope new prototyping requests and define deliverables with customers.
• Manage material and tooling procurement to support active and upcoming builds.
• Maintain shop readiness, inventory, equipment availability, and consumables.
• Track and manage budget for materials and tooling purchases.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

People management

Mechanical prototyping

Strong communication

Procurement & vendor coordination

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's in a technical field

Tools

Shop management tools

Work order tracking tools

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced prototyping Team Lead to guide a small group of technicians on day-to-day fabrication and development tasks. The role blends operations, leadership, and customer communication to deliver rapid, high-quality prototypes for early-stage design and program development.

You will manage workflow, coach team members, and handle administrative responsibilities while collaborating with internal engineering customers on scope, deliverables, and timelines.