Director, Product Cost

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! As part of a passionate and accomplished team of experts, the Director of Product Cost Management is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the overall product cost strategies for assigned business units.
This position reporting to the Senior Director of Product Cost Management will lead the development of product cost processes, their models and all initiatives required to meet or exceed the cost targets for space flight programs.
This includes working across engineering, procurement, planning, suppliers, and mission operations to provide inputs to make/buy decisions, purchasing strategy, regular reporting of product cost status and forecasting future product cost positions.
The position will directly impact the history of space exploration by lowering the fundamental cost of going to space and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.
Responsibilities: Manage a cross-functional effort to reduce recurring product and operational costs across Blue Origin.
Develop and manage a “single source of truth” for all recurring cost and ops cost models on a both initial and on-going basis (including regular product cost variance analyses).
Own command media in gated reviews and development processes that deals with product cost requirements (e.
g.
, cost target validation, cost decomposition, manufacturing readiness inputs, etc.
).
Ensure IPTs are accountable for their costs, know their targets, work with them and Manufacturing Engineers to drive initiatives to achieve targets.
Create constructive tension to stop design release &/or return for ECP designs that can’t be manufactured, sourced or operated cost-effectively.
Partner with Procurement to identify opportunities for multiple sources, LTAs and preferred sourcing positions (e.
g.
, updated make/buys).
Collaborate with the Integrated Supply Chain to identify opportunities to reduce takt and end-to-end cycle times on work cell and component basis, improve yields and reduce scrap.
Support Mission Operations to identify opportunities to reduce labor hours & cycle time through automation, effective sparing / logistics and lean events to eliminate unnecessary steps in processes.
Lead priority kaizens to get cross-functional costs out of components.
Build and manage a world-class team, including developing resource plans and profiles, authoring job descriptions, conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations, assigning tasks, supporting career development and conducting performance reviews.
Qualifications: Passion for our mission and vision! BS or MS degree or equivalent experience with emphasis in supply chain management, procurement, or engineering design & cost management.
Track record of demonstrated success and progressive responsibility increases.
Experience with COTS and commodity specific procurement.
Demonstrated success leading organizations through large-scale change management initiatives that influence culture, define tools & processes, and improve competencies.
Highly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with team, internal customers and suppliers that includes a strong focus on teamwork and internal/external customer satisfaction.
Demonstrated ability to work cross functionally within a geographically disperse organization.
An attitude of world-class safety & mission assurance, quality, attention to detail, and dedication.
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
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.
Desired: Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Graduate level degree in Engineering.
Experience with aerospace procurement, government compliance and quality systems.
Applied experiences in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Toyota Production System.
Experience with cost engineering initiatives.
Experience with leaning out operations and providing logistics & sparing for operating vehicle.
Don’t meet every single requirement? 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 qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.
You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Compensation range for on site WA applicants is $182,213-$267,245 Compensation range for on site CA applicants is $182,213-$267,245 Other site ranges may differ 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.
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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members.
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, gender, 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.
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.
California Applicant Privacy Notice If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.