Sr. Manager, Vehicle Avionics - Launch Operations Verified today

About the Role

This role is part of the Launch Engineering team supporting the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

You will lead the Avionics Operations team responsible for launch vehicle avionics integration, testing, troubleshooting, and operational readiness. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and people management to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient execution of vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch operations.

Technical and Operational Leadership

• Lead the team responsible for integration, testing, troubleshooting, and operation of launch vehicle avionics systems, including electrical power, navigation, guidance, and flight control systems.
• Oversee avionics operational readiness and execution during vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch campaigns.
• Collaborate with Avionics Design Engineering, Vehicle Operations, and other functional teams to resolve technical issues and improve system operability.
• Oversee the development, review, and execution of avionics operational procedures and test documentation.
• Lead operational troubleshooting and drive resolution of avionics anomalies, technical issues, and constraints impacting vehicle readiness.
• Support system safety reviews, hazard analyses, and implementation of operational risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency, standardize processes, and enhance system reliability.

People and Organizational Leadership

• Recruit, hire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of avionics operations engineers and technicians.
• Establish clear team objectives, provide regular coaching and performance feedback, and support employee career development.
• Develop and implement structured training plans to strengthen team technical competencies, operational proficiency, and readiness for test and flight operations.
• Establish and drive cross-functional training initiatives to expand team capabilities, promote knowledge sharing, and enable Avionics Operations personnel to train and support other functional teams across Ground and Vehicle Operations.
• Track and assess personnel qualifications, training completion, and crew readiness to support safe and effective test and flight operations.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to ensure consistency in training, qualification, and development across Ground and Vehicle Operations.
• Manage team priorities, resource allocation, and staffing to support operational and program milestones.
• Promote a workplace culture aligned with Blue Origin's guiding principles and ensure adherence to company policies, directives, and procedures.

Planning and Execution

• Coordinate operational schedules, staffing, and resources to support vehicle processing, integrated testing, and launch campaign requirements.
• Identify and communicate technical risks, resource constraints, and operational issues to leadership, developing mitigation and recovery plans as needed.
• Support budget development, resource planning, and execution in alignment with the Approved Operating Plan.
• Support operations outside nominal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by test and launch schedules.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience.
• 7 or more years of experience in aerospace systems integration, testing, or operations involving complex hardware and software systems.
• 2 or more years of leadership or management experience, including direct responsibility for personnel and/or technical teams.
• Experience with avionics systems, including electrical power, command and data handling, navigation, guidance, or flight control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate technical activities in an operational environment.
• Experience troubleshooting complex technical systems and driving issues to resolution.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, schedule-driven operational environment.
• Proficiency with management, planning, and reporting tools.
• Ability to support off-shift and weekend operations as required.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft avionics integration, testing, and operations.
• Experience supporting launch vehicle processing, integrated test campaigns, or launch operations.
• Experience leading avionics troubleshooting, anomaly investigations, and corrective actions.
• Familiarity with electrical ground support equipment (EGSE), avionics test systems, and associated operational interfaces.
• Experience developing and reviewing avionics operational procedures and test documentation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.