Vice President - Launch Operations

Job Expired

Space Coast, FL, United States

Full Time

a year ago

Job description

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! 

This role is a part of Test & Flight Operations team, providing centralized support to Business Units with the focus on design, build and maintenance of the ground systems, test and launch facilities across multiple locations.

As a senior member of Blue Origin's leadership team, you will lead a large, complex team in the pursuit of operational excellence across Blue Origin’s business units through the development, integration, operations, and maintenance of orbital launch support systems. As the leader of the Launch Operations team, you will be responsible for driving the orbital launch mission through launch vehicle and payload integration, launch, recovery, and refurbishment. This includes managing cost, schedule, and technical performance of all major systems required to support the launch of our orbital launch system, New Glenn, as well as achieve high-cadence launch and on-orbit operations. This position requires exceptional leadership, communications skills, grit, and a strong drive focused on delivering results.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Lead high-cadence, complex launch operations including orbital launch vehicle integration, payload integration, launch, ground operations, recovery, and refurbishment
Lead the team responsible for creation, implementation, and enforcement of company-wide standards, processes, and procedures used to integrate, operate, and launch
Lead and manage schedule and budget baselines to meet required launch capability dates and cost commitments, while radically reducing cost per flight
Closely collaborate with multi-functional teams in the development, construction, and activation of multi-million dollar launch pads, launch infrastructure, and ground support equipment projects
Plan and implement recurring operations and maintenance of Blue Origin’s orbital launch vehicle, launch pad, and recovery assets
Develop sustaining engineering and block upgrade plans for the entire launch operations portfolio
Integrate with Blue Origin engine, booster, and space vehicle customers to assure operational and technical requirements are met and verified
Implement and complete change and risk management programs
Model high standards for team members and maintain a culture that emphasizes safety, professionalism, and operational excellence across launch operations teams
Manage personnel including recruiting, annual performance evaluations, training, overseeing work, monitoring labor hours, and mentoring
Constantly engage with internal customers (launch and orbital operations teams) to identify required services and ensure support is appropriate and timely

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or physics or equivalent
Recent and validated experience leading large programs (greater than $100M) through development, production, and transition to operations
15+ years of relevant experience with integration/test/launch of launch vehicles or human rated spacecraft
Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and effective decision-making
Experience with Launch Vehicle Manufacturing and Integration with a key focus on driving launch cadence, and driving down cost per flight
Meaningful experience leading, mentoring, and running a large, complex team in a challenging, fast paced environment
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Experience as a member of a mature launch or flight operations team performing high consequence operations in space or aviation
Knowledge of federal launch range requirements and operating constraints
Knowledge of systems safety and systems engineering best practices
Ability to think and act both strategically and tactically, deal with ambiguity, handle changing priorities and influence others.
Analytical and quantitative skills and ability to use hard data and metrics to back up assumptions and develop business cases, as well as the ability to clearly communicate insights to others

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

Benefits

Employee Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave (must be employed at time of birth or adoption), short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program available after 1 year of service.

Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays for all regular employees (including part-time), fixed-term, and interns.

Discretionary bonus: Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay. Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.