Engineering Manager

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 is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. Blue Origin is scaling launch operations across our current and future launch sites. The ground systems fluids team designs, builds, and activates the cryogenic propellant, high-pressure pneumatic, water deluge, and environmental conditioning systems that let a launch vehicle reach the pad, load, and fly. This role leads that team. You will be both a technical leader and a people leader. On the technical side, you will own the quality of the fluid system designs coming out of your group. P&IDs, network models, thermal analyses, component selections, procedures, test plans. If it ships from the fluids team, you have reviewed it and stand behind it. On the people side, you will grow a group of engineers who are collectively responsible for tens of millions of dollars of pad hardware operating at cryogenic temperatures, at high pressures, in a marine coastal environment, with a launch schedule that does not soften. This is a hands-on manager job. You will still work in the details. The people on your team have to know that you can do the work they are doing and that you will back their judgment. Attributes We Are Looking For Extreme ownership. When your team ships something with a problem, that is your problem. When your team ships something excellent, credit belongs to them. Bias for the field. You have loaded cryogens, chased a leak in a nitrogen skid, or stood behind a pressure test. You are not a design manager who has only reviewed drawings. Sharp technical judgment. You can look at a P&ID and see the failure mode. You can look at a network model and see the assumption that is going to bite. You review with rigor. Comfort with hard problems that do not come with instructions. Launch pad fluids does not have a textbook. The right answer is often a first-principles derivation done under time pressure. Direct communication. You give clear feedback. You escalate risk with numbers and calm, not drama. You disagree with peers without making it personal. Team builder. You have hired, developed, and (when necessary) exited engineers. You know how to grow a junior engineer into a technical leader. Key Responsibilities Own the technical quality of every fluid system design leaving the group: storage, conveyance, control, cryogenic and high-pressure GN2/GHe, water deluge, environmental conditioning. Review and approve major engineering artifacts. P&IDs, schematics, 3D models, component specs, network models, thermal analyses, and test procedures. Lead and participate in design reviews, PHAs, and formal risk evaluations. Own the safety posture of your systems. Manage the team's workload across concurrent programs and design phases. Hold the schedule, negotiate priorities with program management, protect the technical team from thrash. Grow the team. Recruit. Develop. Perform career conversations, performance reviews, and level calibrations. Build a bench with a mix of senior technical leaders and rising engineers. Partner with launch site operations, test engineering, procurement, and quality. The fluids team ships into an integrated system, and your team's outputs land on other people's dependency lists. Be present at the launch site during major activation and test milestones. Wrench when needed. Represent the team's technical position when it matters. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a closely related engineering discipline. 7+ years of professional experience in fluid systems design, analysis, and delivery, with strong depth in cryogenics or high-pressure systems. 3+ years of direct people management. Hiring, performance management, coaching, development. Formal management responsibility, not "led a project team." Demonstrated ability to independently review and approve complex fluid system engineering deliverables. Fluent in fluid network and thermal analysis tools (AFT Fathom / Arrow, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent). Working knowledge of ASME B31.3 applied to design and construction of process piping. Experience leading design reviews, PHAs, and formal safety processes. Comfortable in a hardware delivery environment with 3D CAD, configuration management, and change control. US citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee. Ability to satisfy ITAR requirements. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in ME, AE, or a related field. Launch vehicle GSE or launch site infrastructure background. Direct pad experience is a strong plus. Hands-on commissioning or sustained operation of cryogenic ground systems in an operational launch or engine test environment. Prior experience scaling an engineering team during a high-growth program phase. Doubling headcount without breaking technical rigor is a specific and learnable skill. Deep familiarity with precision cleaning specifications, material compatibility for LOX/LH2/LCH4, and passivation of stainless steel. Working knowledge of marine and coastal corrosion mitigation (materials selection, coatings, cathodic protection). Experience partnering directly with launch site operations and test crews. Comfort in an environment where your designs get used by people who will tell you exactly what does not work. Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some peopl