Electrical Propulsion Senior Manager

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 National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

As senior manager of the propulsion team, you will play a key foundational role in the development of the Hall thruster-based propulsion systems that maneuver the constellation satellites as well as the propulsion team itself.

We are seeking a dynamic Senior Manager to lead our Propulsion Development & Production organization at Blue Origin.  This role will oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers across various domains including electric propulsion, electric propulsion power electronics, thermal, structural, manufacturing, test, production, and quality engineering. The ideal candidate will drive integration and innovation across these disciplines, developing solutions that advance Blue Origin's mission to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space.

If you share our passion for propulsion system development and testing, thrive in a dynamic startup environment, excel on integrated cross-functional teams of broad individuals, are experienced and skilled in several relevant areas listed below, continuously seek out opportunities to learn and improve, and do not allow title or job description to limit the depth or breadth of your contributions, then we would love to hear from you.

Special Considerations

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of technical professionals across multiple engineering disciplines
• Establish team vision, roadmap, and operational structure to deliver on strategic objectives
• Drive technical integration across various specialties, ensuring cohesive solutions that meet program needs
• Collaborate with program leadership to define technical priorities and resource allocation
• Facilitate cross-functional partnerships with other Blue Origin organizations
• Identify and mitigate technical risks across multiple domains
• Champion innovation while maintaining focus on practical, implementable solutions
• Establish and maintain technical standards and best practices across disciplines
• Develop metrics and reporting structures to track team performance and project progress
• Represent Advanced Capabilities in senior leadership forums and strategic planning activities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or related high-tech industry
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams
• 5+ years experience with propulsion systems
• Demonstrated success leading complex technical projects involving multiple engineering domains
• Strong understanding of spacecraft engineering principles and practices
• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into tactical execution plans and lead teams to execute such plans
• Track record of delivering results in highly technical environments on short schedules

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline
• Experience in two or more of the team's technical domains (electric propulsion, electric propulsion power electronics, thermal, structural, manufacturing, and/or test engineering)
• Background in developing innovative capabilities for space systems
• Experience in high-production rate environments
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application to aerospace challenges
• History of successful collaboration across disciplines
• Program/project management certification or equivalent experience

Personal Characteristics:

• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
• Collaborative mindset with ability to inspire technical teams
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments with competing priorities
• Passion for Blue Origin's mission and space exploration
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to a broad audience
• Resilient, adaptable approach to overcoming challenges

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $183,807.00 - $257,328.75

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.