Fluids/Thermal Component Test Manager - Lunar Permanence

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

This opportunity resides within the Lunar Core Components Test team. As a Manager of Lunar Fluids/Thermal Component Test, centered on fluids hardware spanning gas and liquid distribution and thermal control, you will grow and lead a team of Fluids Component Test Engineers responsible for the development, qualification, and acceptance test planning and execution of fluids components for Blue Moon landers. You will partner closely with Design Responsible Engineers, Quality, Operations/Production, and other functional teams to deliver integrated test solutions across the full component lifecycle—from early development through qualification and production acceptance.

You are an engineering leader, systems-thinker, and recognized problem solver who understands that rigorous, well-executed component testing is foundational to mission success. There is no "standard day" in this role: your team may be executing an acceptance test on flight hardware in the morning and developing a qualification test plan for a new fluids/thermal component in the afternoon. Every program and test campaign presents exciting new challenges to be overcome.

Passion for our mission and vision is required. If you are excited by delivering both near-term and long-term value, solving novel problems, learning new topics, and completing challenging projects, please apply!

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on support for the development, qualification, and acceptance testing of fluids components.
• Guide the team in developing test plans, procedures, and requirements that meet both developmental and production objectives.
• Review and approve critical technical outputs including test plans, procedures, and verification reports.

Program Execution

• Coordinate with internal customers to plan, schedule, and allocate resources for avionics component test campaigns.
• Fully understand, scope, assign, and track technical work to ensure every team member has a full, prioritized workload and that project milestones are delivered on time.
• Identify, document, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks; communicate risks and recommended mitigations to program and business leadership when escalation is required.
• Establish and maintain team metrics and project tracking frameworks to monitor execution health and inform data-driven decisions.

Organizational Leadership

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle for a team of Fluids Component Test Engineers, including talent acquisition, onboarding, development planning, coaching, and performance management.
• Manage direct reports' professional development and coach them on maximizing performance.
• Drive a culture of Safety in the lab, ensuring that personnel and visitors are properly trained and have the appropriate tools and equipment to operate safely.
• Ensure staff are properly trained, including participating in the Blue Origin safety culture.
• Coordinate and integrate with similar functional teams and expertise across the company—including Design Responsible Engineers, Operations/Production, Quality, and contract manufacturers.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders in the domain area for benchmarking, recruiting pipeline, and collaboration purposes.
• Exemplify high standards of conduct for team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Passion for our mission: Millions of people living and working in space!
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 6+ years of hands-on experience in the development, qualification, or acceptance test of fluids components, thermal control components, fluid systems, thermal systems, or electromechanical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to personally perform troubleshooting and causal analysis on component and system-level faults and help drive corrective action back into engineering products.
• Proven ability to build, motivate, and retain a high-performing team of engineers, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
• A proven ability to foster a culture of safety, open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within a technical or laboratory setting.
• Ability to read and interpret fluid schematics and perform component- and system-level analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, communicate clearly across organizational boundaries, and represent the team to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of people management experience of a team of 5 or more direct reports with responsibility for the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding, daily management, career development, performance management, and terminations.
• Experience in a flight hardware, aerospace test, or safety-critical laboratory environment.
• Hands-on experience with pressure systems, cryogenics, vacuum systems, environmental testing, or integrated vehicle systems.
• Familiarity with component-level qualification and acceptance testing standards and environmental test methods (e.g., vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC).
• Familiarity with industry safety programs (e.g., Lock Out/Tag Out) and harness/wiring standards (IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with Atlassian/Jira, Tableau, or Primavera P6 for task planning and tracking.
• Familiarity with space vehicle fluid and thermal technologies.
• Demonstrated experience with or a strong interest in leveraging AI tools and automation to enhance team productivity and streamline lab operations.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $150,743.00 - $211,039.50

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 at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.