Shift Leader- Lunar - All Shifts- A, B, C & D

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off & holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Blue Origin in Merritt Island, FL is seeking a dynamic Shift Leader in Manufacturing Ops & Assembly to oversee aerospace component production and lead cross-functional teams toward operational excellence.

You will drive safety, quality, schedule attainment, and workforce development, while mentoring technicians in fabrication, assembly, and precision drilling of aerospace structures.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, structures assembly, integration, or related environment.
• 2+ years of experience leading production teams, manufacturing cells, or shift operations.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing specifications.
• Working knowledge of structural drilling, precision assembly, fixturing, alignment, fastening, and aerospace processes.
• Experience with precision measurement equipment including torque wrenches, micrometers, calipers, and inspection tools.
• Experience coordinating work across Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to work at heights, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in confined spaces when required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and MES.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of Technicians in fabrication, drilling, assembly, alignment, and integration of aerospace structures.
• Promote and enforce a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence throughout every shift.
• Execute the daily production plan while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and labor efficiency objectives.
• Conduct shift startup meetings, communicate priorities, identify risks, and coordinate recovery plans to maintain schedule.
• Ensure technicians execute work in accordance with engineering drawings, manufacturing instructions, specifications, and approved standard work.
• Monitor work center performance and proactively remove bottlenecks through coordination with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production Control.
• Provide technical guidance for structural assembly, precision drilling, fixturing, alignment, and installation activities involving aluminum, titanium, Inconel, composite, and bonded assemblies.
• Ensure proper utilization and calibration of tooling, fixtures, torque equipment, precision measuring devices, and specialized aerospace assembly equipment.
• Drive First Pass Yield, defect prevention, and nonconformance reduction through disciplined process execution and root cause problem solving.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during production issues while escalating technical risks appropriately.
• Develop technician capability through coaching, mentorship, cross-training, skills qualification, and standardized work.
• Own shift metrics including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Labor Efficiency, First Pass Yield, Rework, and Schedule Adherence.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles by leading daily continuous improvement activities, waste reduction initiatives, 5S audits, and standardized work improvements.
• Support new product introduction, prototype builds, process validation activities, and production readiness initiatives.
• Ensure accurate production reporting, shift handoffs, labor charging, issue documentation, and communication with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development of manufacturing personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Problem solving

Safety culture

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

5S

Continuous improvement

Education

Trade school certification / technical degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Manufacturing execution systems

Torque wrenches

Micrometers

Calipers

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic shift leader of Manufacturing Ops & Assembly to oversee our aerospace component production processes. The role will lead teams to achieve operational excellence, collaborate cross‑functionally, and continuously improve manufacturing operations. Responsibilities include day‑to‑day production floor leadership, safety, quality, schedule attainment, and workforce development.

Position Specific Details

• Shift: A | Mon‑Fri (6am‑2:30pm), B | Mon‑Fri (2pm‑10:30pm), C | Fri‑Sun (6am‑6:30pm), D | Fri‑Sun (6pm‑6:30am)
• Location: FL
• Relocation: Available

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of Technicians in fabrication, drilling, assembly, alignment, and integration of aerospace structures.
• Promote and enforce a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence throughout every shift.
• Execute the daily production plan while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and labor efficiency objectives.
• Conduct shift startup meetings, communicate priorities, identify risks, and coordinate recovery plans to maintain schedule.
• Ensure technicians execute work in accordance with engineering drawings, manufacturing instructions, specifications, and approved standard work.
• Monitor work center performance and proactively remove bottlenecks through coordination with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production Control.
• Provide technical guidance for structural assembly, precision drilling, fixturing, alignment, and installation activities involving aluminum, titanium, Inconel, composite, and bonded assemblies.
• Ensure proper utilization and calibration of tooling, fixtures, torque equipment, precision measuring devices, and specialized aerospace assembly equipment.
• Drive First Pass Yield, defect prevention, and nonconformance reduction through disciplined process execution and root cause problem solving.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during production issues while escalating technical risks appropriately.
• Develop technician capability through coaching, mentorship, cross‑training, skills qualification, and standardized work.
• Own shift metrics including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Labor Efficiency, First Pass Yield, Rework, and Schedule Adherence.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles by leading daily continuous improvement activities, waste reduction initiatives, 5S audits, and standardized work improvements.
• Support new product introduction, prototype builds, process validation activities, and production readiness initiatives.
• Ensure accurate production reporting, shift handoffs, labor charging, issue documentation, and communication with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development of manufacturing personnel.

Team Focus & Domain Expertise

This team is responsible for manufacturing and integrating primary structural assemblies that enable safe and reliable spacecraft. As a Shift Leader, you will lead a highly skilled team building complex flight hardware for the Lunar Perseverance program.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, structures assembly, integration, or a related manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of experience leading production teams, manufacturing cells, or shift operations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing specifications.
• Working knowledge of structural drilling, precision assembly, fixturing, alignment, fastening, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Experience with precision measurement equipment including torque wrenches, micrometers, calipers, and inspection tools.
• Experience coordinating work across Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain organizations.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Ability to work at heights, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in confined spaces when required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing execution systems.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in aerospace structural assembly, launch vehicle manufacturing, or aircraft production.
• Experience leading production teams building flight hardware.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standardized Work, Visual Management, and Daily Management Systems.
• Experience managing KPIs including First Pass Yield, labor efficiency, schedule attainment, nonconformance reduction, and productivity.
• Working knowledge of drilling systems including power feed drills, track drills, Jiffy/E‑Tech tools, drill jigs, and precision hole preparation.
• Understanding of aerospace materials including aluminum, titanium, Inconel, composites, bonded structures, and sealing operations.
• Experience supporting MRB, NCR resolution, RCCA, and corrective action implementation.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, prototype manufacturing, or production ramp activities.
• Ability to coach technicians, develop technical talent, and build high‑performing teams.
• Trade school certification, technical degree, or equivalent aerospace manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated record of improving manufacturing performance through continuous improvement initiatives.

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Blue Origin, we encourage you to apply if you’re excited about this role, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every desired qualification.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (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 background check if the role requires access to a military installation.
• Required for certain job profiles: Drivers operating commercial motor vehicles that meet or exceed 10,001 lbs or transporting placardable amounts of hazardous material may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
• 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

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability, 401(k) with a company match up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week).
• Paid time off: up to four 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 bonuses based on the company’s discretion. Eligibility is not guaranteed and subject to change.

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 workforce. We hire and promote people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans, or requiring a reasonable accommodation, should contact [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox; do not include personal medical information in your request.