Director of Western Range Launch Infrastructure

Blue Origin · Los Angeles · $218,262–$305,567 (stated in the posting)

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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!  

Blue Origin is standing up a West Coast launch posture, and the Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) is where our next chapter for orbital launch gets written. We need a leader who can execute our vision and build new facilities from concept to operations. In this role, you will own the site through design, construction, activation, and operations and will be the guiding force behind the development of the launch complex, processing facilities, and support facilities. You will also be responsible for engaging with the Space Force on common use infrastructure efforts programmed through Spaceport of the Future office, that could include harbor improvements, roadway improvements, and utility extensions. This is a long-term role where you own the entire VSFB operation.

This is a director-level role for someone who has built a launch or test facilities before and wants to do it again, with authority and scope to get it done. You will set direction, assemble a cross-functional team, and be Blue Origin’s representative to the Space Force Space Launch Delta (SLD 30)

Throughout, you will be directly involved; on-site, solving problems, making trade-offs, and working with your team to figure things out. You'll spend time in design reviews, working with the technical teams, and actively participating in agency meetings with the Space Force and other partners. You represent Blue in all of it. It's varied work with actual impact.

• We need someone who:
• Has stood up a launch complex, test complex, or comparable program from concept through activation with direct field experience
• Can lead teams across engineering, construction, and operations, in a way that keeps the teams engaged
• Can facilitate agency meetings, design reviews, and executive engagements
• Knows how to maintain stakeholder relationships through all phases of the project, escalate when needed, and deliver results

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, construction, and activation of the Blue Origin launch facilities at VSFB
• Serve as Blue Origin's primary point of contact with SLD 30, and other government stakeholders. Build and maintain the relationships that move the program forward
• Manage the integrated master schedule, budget, and performance metrics for the program. Own the number, communicate it honestly, and defend it in front of leadership
• Identify and mitigate program risks across technical, regulatory, supply-chain, and schedule dimensions. Surface risks early and drive them to closure
• Lead a cross-functional team of engineers, construction managers, planners, and technicians. Hire, develop, hold the standard, and build the bench that will run the site in steady state
• Navigate federal, state, and local compliance: NEPA, FAA commercial launch licensing, Space Force range requirements, California environmental and coastal regulations, local permitting
• Provide regular, substantive status reports to executive leadership on schedule, budget, risk, and operational readiness. No surprises
• Oversee the integration of ground support equipment, propellant and fluids systems, and facility infrastructure into a coherent, operable launch complex
• Transition the complex from construction to operations. Build the activation plan, stand up the operating team, and lead the site in steady-state launch operations

Special Mentions:

• This role is based onsite at VSFB, CA
• Relocation is provided
• May require up to 15% travel
• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
• 12+ years of relevant engineering, program management, or operations leadership experience
• 5+ years of people-leadership experience managing cross-functional engineering or construction teams
• Demonstrated program-level ownership of launch, test, or heavy infrastructure delivery, including schedule and budget accountability at the program level
• Experience leading engagement with federal agencies (Space Force, FAA, NASA, DoD, or equivalent) on permitting, range coordination, and program execution
• Experience managing design and construction contractors (A&E firms, GCs) as the owner's representative
• Ability to communicate across the full stack: executive leadership, agency flag officers, A&E principals, field superintendents, and the technicians on the ground
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (current Green Card holder)
• Ability to obtain and maintain badging at government installations (Vandenberg SFB)
• Ability to perform hands-on field work in heat, cold, rain, tight quarters, or at heights

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience working at or with VSFB, Western Range operations, or 30th Space Wing / SLD 30 coordination
• Prior ownership of a launch complex, test complex, or major aerospace infrastructure program from concept through activation
• Experience activating a launch or test complex: transition from construction to first operations
• Working knowledge of launch vehicle ground systems integration: GSE, propellant and fluids systems, command and control, mechanical and electrical facility interfaces
• Experience with marine and port infrastructure (wharfs, docks, shore facilities, dredging coordination)
• Familiarity with FAA commercial launch regulations (14 CFR Part 420/450) and NEPA federal environmental review process
• Familiarity with hazardous operations siting requirements, explosive safety quantity-distance (ESQD) arcs, and operational safety clearance planning
• Experience with California-specific environmental and coastal regulatory frameworks
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and / or PMP
• MS or MBA

Base Pay Range for:

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, 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.

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