Shift Lead

Blue Origin; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Senior Operations Lead to supervise mission and launch support teams on a full-time basis. You will plan shifts, ensure procedures are followed, and provide hands-on assistance for integration and testing of flight and ground systems.

You will coach staff, participate in hiring/training, and promote a strong safety culture while coordinating with engineering, planning, logistics, and quality teams. Relocation is available.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in mission/flight operations, launch/test operations, aerospace/industrial systems, or a related operational environment.
• 1+ year of frontline leadership directing technicians or operators.
• Ability to read and follow technical documentation (procedures, drawings, schematics).
• Proven ability to plan daily work for a team while meeting safety, quality, and schedule commitments.

Responsibilities

• Lead technicians and operators in day-to-day mission, test, and launch operations with a focus on safety, quality, and schedule.
• Plan, assign, and monitor work (shift coverage, work center assignments, overtime, backups).
• Ensure work aligns with procedures, drawings, and safety/quality requirements.
• Provide hands-on support for integration, checkout, test, and operations of flight and ground systems as needed.
• Coach, develop, and mentor team members; support hiring, onboarding, and training.
• Communicate work status, issues, and risks clearly to leadership and partner teams.
• Drive safety culture; identify hazards and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to boost safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Maintain clean, organized, compliant work areas (5S, clean as you go).

Skills

Team leadership

Operations planning

Technical documentation

Safety compliance

Field operations

Hazardous systems

Digital tools

Travel readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Application Close Date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.
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.
As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers

Position Specific Details

• Shifts: A Shift
• Location: Huntsville, AL
• Relocation: Available

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technicians/operators in day‑to‑day mission, test, and/or launch operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, and schedule.
• Plan, assign, and monitor work (shift coverage, work center assignments, overtime, and backup coverage).
• Ensure work is performed per approved procedures, work instructions, drawings, and safety/quality requirements.
• Provide hands‑on technical support for integration, checkout, test, and operations of flight and ground systems as needed.
• Conduct regular performance check‑ins and reviews; coach, develop, and mentor team members.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and recognition for your team.
• Communicate work status, issues, and risks clearly to leadership and partner teams (engineering, planning, logistics, safety, quality).
• Drive a strong safety culture; identify hazards, support incident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to increase safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Maintain clean, organized, compliant work areas (e.g., 5S, “clean as you go,” tool/FOD control).

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in mission/flight operations, launch/test operations, aerospace/industrial systems, or a closely related operational environment.
• 1+ year of frontline leadership (supervisor, lead, crew chief, or equivalent) directing technicians or operators.
• Experience performing work on complex or hazardous systems (e.g., cryogenic, pneumatic, hydraulic, high‑pressure, high‑voltage, propellants, or similar).
• Ability to read and follow technical documentation (procedures, work instructions, drawings, schematics, manuals).
• Proven ability to plan and prioritize daily work for a team while meeting safety, quality, and schedule commitments.
• Basic proficiency with digital tools (email, spreadsheets, maintenance/operations systems) and ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Willing and able to support non‑standard hours (nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime), work in field/industrial environments (outdoors, PPE, heights/ladders, hazardous or restricted areas as required), and travel occasionally to other Blue Origin sites or test/launch locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional experience: 5+ years of relevant operations experience (e.g., aerospace, launch vehicles, test facilities, industrial automation/controls, oil & gas, or similar), including 2+ years as a frontline supervisor/lead, preferably in domains such as launch pad/test stand or mission/control room operations; vehicle or payload integration and processing; ground fluid/propellant systems; instrumentation and controls; rigging/transport of large hardware; SCAPE/hazardous operations; or ordnance handling.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, models, specifications, and test procedures.
• Experience with Lean/continuous improvement (e.g., 5S, Kaizen) and implementing process and safety improvements.
• Experience with assembly, integration, and handling of large or complex products (e.g., stages, modules, large structures).
• Formal technical training or an associate degree in a relevant field (e.g., electronics, mechanics, industrial technology, instrumentation, mechatronics).

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… etc.