Sr. Flight Director (R40519)

Reston, VA

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 a part of the Test & Flight Operations team, providing centralized support to business units with a focus on the design, build, and maintenance of the ground systems, test, and launch facilities across multiple locations.

We are a small, passionate, and accomplished team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in increasing access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

Flight Directors lead the teams that conduct Blue Origin flight operations across New Shepard, New Glenn and orbital and lunar Programs.  Flight Directors are ultimately responsible for the safety and success of our customers, our team, and our missions. They serve as the standard bearers for Blue Origin’s processes and culture, and consistently strive to realize operational excellence within all Blue Origin test and flight operations teams. Those selected as a Flight Director embody the best of Blue Origin's Leadership Principles and must have sufficient experience to serve as an operational leader for all Blue Origin programs.  It is an honor and a privilege to be a Flight Director, and it is your paramount duty to represent the best of Blue Origin.  To become a Flight Director, submit an application through Workday containing your resume describing how you meet the qualifications listed below.

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!

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical subject

• 15+ years of relevant, progressively responsible work experience, to include leading high consequence operations

• 5+ years’ experience working on console in control rooms for spaceflight, aircraft flight test, or similar environments

• Experience in Spacecraft or Launch vehicle integrated vehicle performance

• Experience leading an integrated team in a high-cadence, high-consequence environment

• Experience in decision making based upon timeline management, technical performance, and overall risk.

• Familiarity with systems and subsystems common to aircraft or space vehicles

• Experience with formal communications protocols such as those used in control rooms or aviation

• Comfortable making safety-critical decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

• Ability to think and act both strategically and tactically while managing changing priorities

• Exhibits the ability to earn the trust of others and have background demonstrating operational excellence

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• 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:

• Master’s degree in a technical subject

• Experience working in On-Orbit operations

• Experience working as a Front Room Console Operator, Console Lead, or Test Director

• Experience as an instructor or trainer for high risk, high consequence operations

• Travel Requirements

• This position may be based at any Blue Origin location but could require up to 18 months of formal training at the Kent, WA office, and potentially Program-specific training as well.

• This position will require frequent travel to Blue Origin launch sites, estimated to be up to 25% of the time.  Employees based at locations other than Kent will require travel estimated up to 50% of the time during formal training.

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.

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.