Fabrication Director -Multi Mission Operations

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. This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. It focuses on Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. The position seeks an experienced metals fabrication operations leader to scale our metals fabrication capabilities and plan and execute for the future. The leader will own end‑to‑end metals fabrication execution—from new product introduction through high‑rate production—setting standards, building high‑performing teams, and driving continuous improvement in safety, reliability, and efficiency across all of Blue Origin’s products and programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion safety and first‑time quality across all functions while growing and developing the team at all levels.
• Oversee integrated planning and scheduling across multiple metals fabrication shops; resolve conflicts and drive decisions that balance safety, schedule, and cost.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) activities for metals fabrication, including process development, equipment qualification, material validation, and production ramp.
• Establish and maintain equipment and material qualifications in accordance with aerospace standards (AS9100, Nadcap) and customer requirements; own qualification plans, process validations, and continuous compliance.
• Define and maintain the metals fabrication team operating model, including org structure, staffing, interfaces, and standards across all fabrication disciplines.
• Build, lead, and develop a multi‑level team (managers, shift leads, engineers, technicians) including workforce planning, hiring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Set and enforce standards for operations products (concepts of operations, procedures, checklists, timelines, work instructions), maintaining configuration control and alignment with engineering, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with engineering on design for manufacturability (DFM) and early product development to optimize fabrication processes and ensure producibility.
• Serve as senior operations authority in readiness reviews and go
  o‑go forums, clearly communicating risks, mitigations, and readiness to leadership and customers.
• Partner with engineering, supply chain, and operations to solve complex integration challenges and support cross‑program fabrication needs.
• Drive operational excellence and Lean improvements to increase throughput, reduce turnaround time and rework, and improve reliability while maintaining safety and quality.
• Establish, track, and act on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as schedule adherence, first‑pass yield, anomaly rates, safety performance, and asset utilization to guide priorities and investments.
• Ensure robust hazard identification and mitigation by partnering with Safety and Engineering on system and process hazard analyses, driving closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders—including programs, functions, and suppliers—to align concepts of operations, schedules, and risk posture.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, operations, or related technical field; or equivalent hands‑on experience in complex aerospace or industrial operations.
• 10+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders and multidisciplinary operations teams in an aerospace or other complex manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience in metals fabrication operations (e.g., machining, welding, sheet metal, forming, heat treat) with proven ability to scale capacity and capability.
• Experience leading new product introduction (NPI) in a metals fabrication environment, including transitioning designs from development through production readiness.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining equipment and material qualifications, including qualification plans, process validations, first‑article inspections, and ongoing compliance.
• Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional initiatives that improved operational performance (e.g., cycle time, throughput, reliability, cost) while maintaining or improving safety and quality.
• Experience establishing and managing operations schedules and integrated resource plans using tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent.
• Proven ability to make sound, time‑critical decisions under pressure during real‑time operations, with clear communication of intent and rationale.
• Experience defining and using metrics and KPIs for operations performance management and continuous improvement.
• Track record of effective collaboration with engineering, safety, program management, facilities, supply chain, and external partners.
• Proficiency with standard office and operations software and ability to quickly learn new planning, data, and analytics tools.
• Willing and able to support non‑standard hours (nights, weekends, holidays, on‑call).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace metals and advanced fabrication processes (e.g., aluminum, titanium, Inconel, stainless steel; precision machining, TIG/MIG welding, friction stir welding, orbital welding, electron beam welding).
• Track record of qualifying new fabrication equipment and establishing validated manufacturing processes to meet aerospace quality standards (AS9100, Nadcap, or similar).
• Experience with material and process specifications, test protocols, destructive and non‑destructive evaluation (NDE) methods, and approval processes for flight hardware.
• Familiarity with special processes (welding, heat treat, NDT) and maintaining qualified personnel, procedures, and equipment.
• Demonstrated application of Lean and continuous improvement principles in operations, including tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, and visual management.
• Experience deploying strategy and objectives through structured frameworks (e.g., Hoshin, OKRs, Balanced Scorecard) in an operations organization.
• Experience using ERP/MRP and/or maintenance management systems to drive planning, asset readiness, and performance management.
• Experience managing capital equipment procurement, installation, and production validation.
• Background in liquid rocket engine, launch vehicle, or spacecraft fabrication.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• 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 bonuses based on the company’s intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company’s results; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and are subject to change and cancellation.

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. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status.

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