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Programs & Business

Sr. Director MK1 Lunar Lander

Blue Origin logoBlue Origin~$134k–$237k/yrtypicalSpace Coast, FL, United StatesFull timePosted 1mo ago
  • US citizenship

About the job

## 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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products.

To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. ## Job Description We are a 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 towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

Blue Origin is committed to building a future where millions of people live and work in space to benefit Earth. We must return to the Moon permanently, and Blue Origin's Lunar Permanence Programs enable this goal. As the pathfinder vehicle, the MK-1 Lunar Lander is the first of a series of Lunar Landers that will result in a sustainable lunar lander systems program.

Our MK-1 program represents an ambitious multi-mission cadence: Our first MK-1 "Endurance" will be the largest and most complex vehicle ever to land on the moon. Our second MK-1 will continue humanity's exploration of the Lunar south pole by delivering NASA's VIPER rover. NASA has also selected Blue Origin to fly two additional MK-1 landers to deliver Lunar Terrain Vehicles.

Each of these missions operates with distinct architectural configurations tailored to evolving mission requirements. Executing these complex, concurrent missions requires sophisticated cost and schedule planning and management across multiple vehicle variants in different development phases.

The team building this vehicle is rethinking how space systems are designed, with a high-performing architecture, efficient reusability, and rapid design iteration. The Senior Director of MK-1 Lunar Lander must deliver the system to operation on a challenging schedule and must demonstrate high judgment and have deep business experience including program and business responsibilities.

They will be an inspiring leader who enjoys picking up challenges and driving them to solution. The Sr.

Director will have a clear, concise, consistent communication style (both written and verbal) that instills energy and excitement in team members. ## Responsibilities - Providing overall leadership for the MK-1 Lunar Lander development program and managing the concurrent development of multiple lunar lander variants with different architecture configurations across the product line family. - Ensure all Lander variants meet or exceed program requirements while balancing technical trade-offs across the product family. - Manage a team that performs requirement definition, design, manufacturing, assembly, test, verification, validation, certification, and delivery of systems in the most expeditious manner consistent with success. - Execute highly complex concurrent development programs on schedule while ensuring project risks are appropriately mitigated across all vehicle variants. - Drive cost and schedule discipline across the entire product line, ensuring aggressive but achievable timelines for Endurance, VIPER, and Lunar Terrain Vehicle missions. - Manage critical customer (NASA), partner, and supplier relationships, both internal suppliers as well as external ones. - Balance technical prioritization and resource allocation across multiple vehicle variants in different development maturity levels. - Help build a strong organization and provide leadership.

Acquire and develop a high-performance team. - Drive operational excellence creating a safe and efficient system. - Help deliver aggressive goals for development, manufacturing, and operations. 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! ## Required - 15+ years of experience in aerospace systems - Strong engineering development experience across the product lifecycle, with a track record of delivery on very aggressive schedules - Demonstrated experience managing product family development or multiple concurrent vehicle programs with different technical architectures or design approaches - Demonstrated advanced knowledge in designing, building, testing and flying aerospace systems for rockets, landers, and space systems - Demonstrated ability to quickly identify and solve ambiguous problems and use engineering judgment to make rapid decisions that minimize wasted effort - Attention to detail and desire to roll up your sleeves while insisting on high standards - Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment - Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work across multiple concurrent programs - Excellent communication (verbal and written) and collaboration skills that enable you to earn trust at all levels ## Desired - M.S. or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or related field, or MBA - Experience managing multi-mission program portfolios with NASA ## 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

From Blue Origin's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Blue Origin

Builds the New Shepard and New Glenn rockets and the Blue Moon lunar lander.

Pay on its listings: 65.5% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Blue Origin's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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