Operations Manager - Chemical Processing

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!  

Operations: This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Facilities, and Security. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, engineers, and scientists you will lead and manage the OLS Chemical Processing team. Your team will be responsible for the chemical processing for corrosion protection of fracture critical flight hardware.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time
• Primarily A Shift, but could be required to work any shift to support operations activates.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Participate and provide leadership in requirements definition, CONOPS development, facility design, vendor selection, build execution and development of hiring plans.
• Execute hiring plans, participate in facility commissioning, train personnel, document/qualify processes and accomplish production readiness within established program schedules. 
• Build and manage the OLS Chemical Processing team. Develop and maintain resource plans and profiles, authorizing job descriptions, conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations, assigning tasks, and conducting performance reviews.
• Organize and manage work distribution of resources, ensuring Production Control priorities are being satisfied.
• Manage chemical processing operations. Establish and maintain a clear understanding of your products, processes, and configured work orders. Manage and report on key performance indicators and metrics.
• Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Coordinate with stakeholders
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct non conformances by modification, rework, repair, and/or maintenance. Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for recurrence control.
• Forecast and develop recovery plans for constraints critical to vehicle delivery schedule.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement projects for area safety and efficiency.
• Assure continued training and skills development to attract, develop, and retain great people.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in physical sciences or engineering (Chemical preferred) or 5 + years of experience in chemical processing for corrosion protection of fracture critical hardware.
• 3 or more years of experience in the direct management/leadership of personnel, working on development programs or production lines heavily involving a range of processes and techniques, in both leadership and hands-on roles; experience on aerospace production programs and/or chemical processing is a plus.
• Ability to interpret engineering models, drawings, specifications, written work instructions, and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with a strong work ethic and close attention to detail in a fast-paced dynamic team environment with rapidly changing roles and responsibilities.
• Basic computer skills such as Windows, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Must be able to set a high hiring bar while evaluating and hiring top talent.
• Extremely customer focused with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with teams of diverse skills across large geographic distances.
• A continuous improvement mindset. Our job is never complete; we are always optimizing.
• Work off-shift, extended hours overtime, and weekends if/when necessary.
• Intense curiosity for understanding the details of our business and how to optimize it
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills and a proven ability to drive complex projects with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrates understanding and ability to apply continuous improvement terminology/tools:  LEAN, 5S, Six Sigma principles/DFSS/Lean design principles, Value Stream, and Kaizen
• Ability to handle multiple decisions based on workload dispersion, program priorities and management and customer decisions.
• 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.
• 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

• Advanced degree in physical sciences or engineering with a deep understanding of the theory and application of chemical processing for corrosion resistance of alloy systems including, but not limited to alloy/chemical reactions and their products, etch rates, acid/caustic systems, chem film systems, anodize, and other coatings.  
• Formal Leadership and Business training/education
• Experience independently managing personnel, projects, and tasks with limited oversight.
• Experienced managing aerospace FOD and 5S programs
• Experienced interfacing with all levels of personnel and presenting detailed status and outcomes to senior leadership.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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

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.

Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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.

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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

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