Technical Program Director - Product Formulation

Socket.dev; Washington; On-site; USD 170,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid parental leave

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Technical Program Director to define, manage, and deliver a portfolio of new products within Advanced Concepts and ACE. You will provide strategic direction across the product lifecycle, balance schedules and budgets, and align cross-functional teams and executive leadership to execute the roadmap.

The role requires deep technical and business acumen, hands-on problem solving, and a proven ability to lead complex spacecraft programs in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications as listed: B.S. in relevant field; 8+ years in program/project management; experience leading multidisciplinary development; strong communication; PM tools experience; aerospace background; subcontract management; fast-paced environment; self-starter; detail-oriented; collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Primary point of contact for program deliverables, performance to plan, and customer SOW completion.
• Lead cost, schedule, risk & opportunity, and change management for one or more development programs or project areas.
• Use project engineering skills to organize budgets, schedules, and program plans to ensure development, qualification and production hardware delivery.
• Communicate with internal organizations and suppliers to guide project planning.
• Build project management plans and manage schedules, WBS, and cost; coordinate with vehicle programs.
• Prioritize weekly and monthly tasks across multiple organizations and functions.
• Lead financial performance of accounts at the program level; oversee finances for subsystem leads.
• Implement business rhythm: staff meetings, reviews, monthly reporting, planning cycles; track action items.
• Lead Program Planning & Control, Finance, Procurement, Cost Engineering to establish baselines, planning, execution status, and recovery.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, Enterprise Tech to align processes and address issues across the project.

Skills

Program management leadership

Budget and schedule control

Cross-functional leadership

Communication and presentation

MS Project / Primavera

Aerospace / spacecraft systems

Subcontract management

Fast-paced environment

Problem solving

Inclusion culture

Requirements management

Earned value / EVMS awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Management, or similar

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!

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

About the Role

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. Advanced Concepts is chartered with identifying and developing new business opportunities to achieve our Mission. As a Technical Program Director, you will be accountable for the successful definition, management, and delivery of a portfolio of new products within this exciting domain.

You will be at the forefront of transforming innovative concepts into tangible products, providing clear strategic direction and leadership across the entire product lifecycle. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, business acumen, and executive leadership to drive the successful execution of the product roadmap. You will be responsible for managing the overall schedule, budget, and strategic procurements, while ensuring alignment across all teams, stakeholders, and executive leadership. We are looking for a seasoned leader to apply their expertise and commitment to quality to positively impact the future. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Key Responsibilities

• Primary point of contact for execution and management of program deliverables, performance to plan, and completion of customer statement of work.
• Lead all aspects of project management to include cost, schedule, risk & opportunity, and change management for one or more technology development programs or for a project area.
• Use your project engineering skills to organize budgets, schedules, and program plans to ensure development, qualification and production hardware is delivered.
• You will use your technical background to understand and effectively communicate with Blue Origin internal organizations and suppliers to guide project planning.
• You will build project management plans and manage project schedules, WBS, and cost, and where appropriate coordinate schedules to integrate the project development with the overall vehicle programs. You will present status, risks & opportunities, variances, and recovery plans to engineering and program management.
• Prioritize weekly and monthly tasking across multiple organizations and functions within the project; maintain cognizance of all project activities
• Lead financial performance of accounts held at the program level; oversee financial performance of accounts held by subsystem leads
• Implement business rhythm: organize, prepare for, and conduct staff meetings, operating reviews, monthly corporate reporting, and quarterly and annual planning cycles; generate and track action items
• Lead the Program Planning & Control, Finance, Procurement, Cost Engineering teams to establish program baselines, detailed planning, execution status, and recovery plans to variance
• Partner with supporting functional organizations (e.g., Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, Enterprise Technology) to assure continuous interfaces, smooth operations, and reconciliation of process standards, action items, and emergent issues across the project

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. Business, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Management, or similar
• 8+ years’ experience program/project management and business management in a development environment
• Experience leading multidisciplinary development projects, including managing requirements, priorities, scope, schedule, and cost
• Excellent written, communication and presentation skills
• Experience with Project Management Tools such as MS Project, P6 Primavera or similar
• Aptitude for hands‑on problem solving, with a passion for spacecraft systems
• Experience with aerospace vehicle development, production, and operations
• Experience managing major subcontracts
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Self‑starter, strong bias for action
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or M.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or systems engineering
• Program Management Professional (PMP) certification and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience. Experience with critical path scheduling, IMP/IMS, risk management, requirements management and Cost Account Management such as EVM.
• Experience with verification, integration, and test, of orbital launch vehicles or human rated spacecraft

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25

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, 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 Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.