Manufacturing Shift Leader - Castings

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

About the role

Blue Origin’s Operations organization includes Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance, providing manufacturing and supply‑chain support across all facilities. As a Shift Lead on B‑Shift at the Blue Castings site in Arlington, WA, you will lead welders, grinders, machinists, and finishers, owning everything that happens after a part is cast to deliver engine components of impeccable quality, on time, every time. You will guide your team to define the future of spaceflight production, supporting engine programs with high‑value parts while maintaining a focus on safety and repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Supervise back‑end production personnel (welding, grinding, machining, and finishing) in day‑to‑day B‑Shift operations.
• Establish workstation assignments, coordinate employee training, manage overtime assignments, and arrange back‑up coverage for absent employees.
• Maintain shop schedule status across finishing operations to ensure on‑time delivery.
• Provide first‑level escalation support on HR matters (employee relations, workers’ compensation, disciplinary actions, timecards, PTO requests).
• Drive continuous‑improvement opportunities to enhance processes and reduce cycle and set‑up times.
• Maintain the shop measuring equipment calibration program, ensuring all relevant equipment is calibrated on schedule.
• Implement and maintain 5S, ensuring a lean, clean, and safe work environment.
• Ensure all team members follow work instructions, quality requirements, and processes.
• Provide continued training and skills development, maturing the cross‑training matrix for coverage depth across welding, grinding, and machining disciplines.
• Provide coaching, early‑career mentoring, and conduct performance reviews.
• Partner with upstream casting production to ensure seamless part flow from casting into back‑end finishing.

Required Qualifications

• Passion for Blue Origin’s mission: millions of people living and working in space.
• 4+ years of management/supervisory experience.
• 4+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment involving welding, grinding, machining, or metal finishing.
• Demonstrated experience building a high‑performing team.
• Demonstrated experience using KPIs to drive performance improvement.
• Ability to maintain positive, professional relationships and contribute to a culture of trust, respect, inclusion, and integrity.
• Strong communication skills.
• A continuous‑improvement mindset.
• Self‑motivation and the ability to prioritize projects to meet completion dates.

Desired Qualifications

• 4+ years of manufacturing experience in aerospace, automotive, or a closely related industry.
• Experience in a foundry or casting‑finishing environment focused on highly engineered, high‑quality castings; investment casting preferred.
• Certified welding and/or NDT/inspection background, or experience leading certified welders and finishers.
• Strong knowledge and applied experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and the Toyota Production System.
• Experience operating in an AS9100 environment.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the United States as a refugee or asylee.

Pay

Base Pay Range for Washington applicants is $113,158.00 – $158,420.85. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability.
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week.
• Paid Time Off: up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company‑paid holidays.
• Additional benefits and bonuses may be offered at the company’s discretion; eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed.

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies show that some people are less likely to apply unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway—you may be the right candidate for this or another role.