Director Practice Operations Jobs in Bothell, WA

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 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.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility leadership position supporting New Glenn, Blue Origin's heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle, with additional support for our Lunar Lander programs. As the Director of New Glenn's Operations Integration, Systems Engineering, and Engineering Support Room, you will serve as the technical leader on all aspects of systems engineering, test, and launch operations.
This role is a vital part of our team concurrently managing launch vehicle products in multiple life-cycle states including: requirements flow-down, preliminary and critical design, product realization, testing, verification, system integration, qualification, certification, delivery, and fielded launch operations. You will be involved in launch operations, system safety evaluations, anomaly investigation, operation staffing, risk management, test planning, technical performance measurement, problem resolution, and configuration and data management. As the Director of both first and second stages, you will lead the teams through a period of rapid growth, development, and unprecedented operational tempo.
We need a proven leader who thrives in high-pressure, high-volume aerospace test and launch environments, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety. You'll report directly to the Vice President of New Glenn Cadence, support 24/7 test and launch operations, and lead a large group of engineers across both GS1 and GS2, including but not limited to: Cryogenic systems, Pneumatic systems, Hydraulic systems, Avionics systems, and Payload Accommodations.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead the Operations Integration and Systems Engineering teams across all elements of the integrated launch vehicle.

• Align New Glenn Operations Integration, Systems Engineering, and Engineering Support Room initiatives with overall company goals and customer needs.

• Establish operational structure, priorities, and goals for a rapidly scaling organization

• Ensure your team has the equipment, resources, and support needed to execute safely and efficiently

• Mentor and develop engineering talent in a fast-paced, high-consequence environment

Testing & Operations Integration

• Own the comprehensive system requirements and operational requirements for the New Glenn Reusable Launch Vehicle including pre-launch, boost, landing, and recovery phases

• Lead engineering teams responsible for developing operational requirements, system redlines, timeline/CONOPS databooks, Launch Commit Criteria, and Required Equipment Lists

• Provide real-time support to integrated tests and launch operations

• Lead anomaly investigations and drive corrective actions to closure

Technical & Safety Leadership

• Serve as primary technical interface between the engineering teams and operations teams

• Champion safety-first culture, ensuring we never compromise safety in pursuit of schedule

• Review and approve operating requirements, procedures, scripts, and displays across all vehicle subsystems

• Lead design integration trade studies considering operational impacts throughout the mission lifecycle

• Manage technical risk and support chief engineer office with engineering change requests and design reviews

Cross-Functional Integration

• Work closely with Mission Operations to ensure operational readiness

• Coordinate with multiple facilities and support teams to eliminate bottlenecks

• Execute complex trades and analyses to support programmatic decision-making

• Document and manage critical performance and requirements interfaces across the system

• Establish need-dates and hold teams accountable to commitments

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years? of proven experience in systems engineering, analysis, operations, or testing on launch vehicles, spacecraft, or in other highly regulated industries

• Demonstrated experience building and leading engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, and career development of individual contributors

• Led sustaining engineering operations for a major product or program (owns "keep it flying")

• Highly knowledgeable of systems engineering practices, integration processes, and mission/safety critical systems

• Track record of clearly communicating technical status, risks, and decisions to both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strength in teaming and collaboration, self-starter

• Experience with DOORS or other requirements management software

• Experience in the development, execution and facilitation of project plans, managing risks and resolving blocking issues

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities across budget, schedule, and technical scope simultaneously.

• Familiarity with launch vehicle or space vehicle design and operations

• Hands-on experience maintaining/servicing launch vehicles or spacecraft

• Experience with anomaly investigations

• Ability to operate, make decisions, lead, and make forward progress in ambiguous environments

• Familiarity with Primavera P6 or similar scheduling tools

• Background supporting 24/7 operations in aerospace manufacturing or test environments

• Experience in organizations undergoing rapid growth and scaling

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $218,262.00 - $305,566.80
Other site ranges may differ
Culture 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 an 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 (DBIDS) 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 (obtained before onboarding), 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.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

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 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. 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, sex, 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 "Know Your Rights," 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. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.