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 is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Facilities, Security, and Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance team. This team is focused on monitoring and assessing processes that guide Blue Origin's design, manufacturing, and operations, ensuring system safety engineering, environmental health, and safety, product integrity, and continuous improvement processes across all facilities.At Blue Origin, we are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and exploration to enable millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. Our team is focused on driving innovation and operational excellence while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality to ensure mission success. We are actively shaping the future of space exploration and are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Vice President of Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance (SQMA). This role will play a pivotal part in driving the transformation of Blue Origin's mission assurance culture and ensuring that we deliver on our commitments for safe, reliable, and repeatable spaceflight operations. You will be an integral part of our leadership team, responsible for embedding safety, quality, and mission assurance practices across all phases of product development, manufacturing, and operational execution.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Define and drive the strategic direction for Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance across all Blue Origin's business units, including launch operations, manufacturing, and engineering, ensuring alignment with Blue Origin's long-term goals for human spaceflight and lunar operations.
- Establish and maintain a culture of safety and quality that permeates all levels of the organization, ensuring that all products, systems, and processes adhere to the highest standards of excellence.
- Lead the SQMA function, providing high-level independent oversight for the design, development, testing, manufacturing, and operational phases of all Blue Origin products and services, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and mission success criteria.
- Provide authoritative disposition and risk management for mission-critical decisions, including non-advocate roles in reviews, flight readiness assessments, and certification approvals, ensuring rigorous evaluation and mitigation of risks.
- Bring deep expertise in launch operations, providing direct oversight and decision-making authority for launch readiness reviews, safety assessments, and launch risk management.
- Establish robust systems safety engineering processes, and lead incident investigation teams in the event of any anomalies or mishaps, ensuring comprehensive root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy, leveraging industry best practices and lessons learned to drive process optimization, efficiency, and performance.
- Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, and mission assurance to ensure organizational performance is meeting or exceeding Blue Origin's mission-critical objectives.
- Collaborate with program managers, engineering, manufacturing, and operations leaders to ensure safety and quality considerations are integral to all decision-making processes.
- Drive alignment between the SQMA organization and business units to create a cohesive approach to risk management, safety engineering, and mission assurance.
- Build and lead a high-performing team of safety, quality, and mission assurance professionals, ensuring the organization has the capabilities and expertise to support Blue Origin's bold growth and mission success objectives.
- Champion a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability, fostering a learning organization that continually adapts to the dynamic environment of space exploration.Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, aerospace, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 20+ years of experience in aerospace or related high-technology industries, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles focusing on safety, quality, and mission assurance.
- Shown experience leading safety and mission assurance functions for large-scale launch operations, including human-rated and/or cargo launch vehicles.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams through complex technical challenges, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Deep understanding of systems safety engineering, reliability, risk management, hazard analysis, and root cause methodologies.
- Familiarity with quality assurance standards and continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization and drive cultural change.
- Strong project management capabilities, with experience leading large-scale, multi-disciplinary programs in a matrixed environment.
- Knowledge of aerospace industry standards and regulations, including NASA, FAA, and DoD guidelines for safety and mission assurance.
- In-depth understanding of industry benchmarks, emerging trends, and best practices from peer organizations.
- 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
- Experience leading major launch campaigns and readiness reviews.
- Consistent track record in space vehicle mishap investigations and corrective actions
- Strong business acumen with the ability to align SQMA strategies with business objectives.Inclusivity StatementDon'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 RegulationsApplicants 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 OpportunityBlue 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 AccommodationApplicants 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 ...@blueorigin.com.California Applicant Privacy NoticeIf you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.