Mechanisms and Structures Component Test Manager - Lunar Permanence Verified today

Role

This position is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. You will lead the Lunar Core Components Test team as Manager of Lunar Mechanisms and Structures Component Test, growing and leading a team of Component Test Engineers responsible for development, qualification, and acceptance test planning and execution of 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.

There is no standard day in this role: your team may execute an acceptance test on flight hardware in the morning and develop a qualification test plan for a new component in the afternoon.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on support for development, qualification, and acceptance testing of 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 test campaigns
• Fully understand, scope, assign, and track technical work to ensure every team member has a full, prioritized workload and 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 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, ensuring that personnel and visitors are properly trained and have 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 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
• Exemplify high standards of conduct for team members

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related discipline
• 6+ years of hands-on experience in development, qualification, or acceptance test of electromechanical systems, thermal systems, or fluid 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
• 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, wiring diagrams and perform component- and system-level analysis
• Design experience using CAD tools
• Proficiency in developing and executing test plans and procedures for mechanical, electromechanical, or fluids systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with 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 flight hardware, aerospace test, or safety-critical laboratory environment
• Hands-on experience with mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, 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)
• Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems and associated documentation practices
• Experience in PTC Creo
• Familiarity with Atlassian/Jira, Tableau, or Primavera P6 for task planning and tracking
• Familiarity with space vehicle technologies

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for WA applicants: $150,743.00 to $211,039.50. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and Education Support Program. Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week). Paid time off up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Employees may be eligible for bonuses based on role type and job level.

Background Check

Blue's Standard Background Check required for all positions. Additional background checks may be required depending on role requirements (DBIDS, Commercial Motor Vehicle certification, or Merchant Mariner Credential).