Director- Payload Operations & Integration

Blue Origin
life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k)
United States, Florida, Merritt Island
8082 Space Commerce Way (Show on map)
Mar 26, 2025
Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. 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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely 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. As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will manage Payload Operations & Integration, Vehicle Mechanical, and Ground Mechanical teams. You will share in our team's impact on all aspects of launch vehicle and ground operations. As part of Orbital Launch, you will work as part of a highly skilled team reporting to directly to Orbital Launch Site Vice President. The position will involve planning and coordination with Production teams, responsible engineers, systems engineers, Chief engineers, safety, and other Orbital Launch teams to perform launch site operations. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! Responsibilities: Manage Vehicle Mechanical, Ground Mechanical, Payload Integration, and Payload Operations functions Administer contracts, budgets, and resources Develop and maintain launch processing schedules Manage/coordinate daily integrated processing schedules and provide inputs to New Glenn integrated master schedule to aid in establishing operational priorities Represent Orbital Launch in multi-discipline meetings and reviews Prepare and present advanced projects/programs, schedules, studies, memos, and more to senior leadership and internal & external customers Actively mentor & train of managers and subordinates Support Sales and Mission Management to generate proposals and requirement verification planning for primary and secondary payloads (co-manifested, or rideshare payloads) Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, physics, aerospace engineering or another related engineering discipline A minimum of 10 years of direct/specialized launch site operations/integration experience with large launch vehicles Demonstrated ability to work independently, rather than by formal review of a superior Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, customer relation skills, and presentation skills are required Must have direct experience with project management & scheduling and schedule management tools (MS Project, Primavera P6) Demonstrated ability to develop and manage several tasks and schedules simultaneously Advanced skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Outlook) Highly detail oriented, diligent, hard working with excellent interpersonal skills Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with persons with diverse backgrounds Must have direct experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (current Green Card holder) Must have current TS/SCI clearance or ability to successfully complete a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) Must be able to travel to other Blue Origin offices, alternate launch site, and customer facilities Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime as well as weekends, when needed to support test or launch campaign timelines Desired Familiarity with industry and USG safety requirements including AFMAN 91-710 Experience negotiating with CCSFS Range Experience with payload operations, integration, payload fairings, adapters, payload separation systems, and match-mates (fit-checks) Beyond Gravity (formerly; RUAG) Payload Separation System Certification Experience with ordnance handling, checkout installation, and electrical connection Knowledge of Space Force and BATF explosives regulations Knowledge of 49 CFR and 40 CFR 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. Background Check Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DIBDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training. 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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. California Applicant Privacy Notice If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.