Senior Engineering Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Engineering Design Manager

Company: BLUE ORIGIN

Location: Grandview, MO, United States / Seattle, WA, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Engineering Management (Hardware & Embedded Systems)

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Experience Level: 8+ years in hardware/embedded systems, 5+ years in leadership/management

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of hardware and embedded software for critical launch vehicle systems, specifically within the New Glenn Blue Batteries (SBB) program.

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing engineering team focused on delivering complex battery and avionics solutions.

• Drive the translation of system-level requirements into detailed technical plans, designs, and execution milestones for hardware, firmware, integration, and validation workstreams.

• Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring adherence to mission assurance and system safety fundamentals.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including industrial design, systems engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure aligned priorities and successful technical decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the New Glenn program, focusing on the "Blue Batteries" subsystem, which implies a deep involvement in power systems and their integration into avionics. The emphasis on "process control" and "tools development" suggests a strong operational and process-oriented mindset is required, even within an engineering management context. The dual locations (MO and WA) indicate potential for hybrid team management or leadership across different operational sites.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct hardware and embedded software development activities for the New Glenn terminal program, with a focus on battery and avionics systems.

• Cultivate and lead a team of engineers, fostering their professional development and ensuring the team's collective success in meeting program goals.

• Translate high-level system requirements into actionable, detailed technical plans, designs, and phased execution milestones for assigned scopes.

• Manage day-to-day engineering execution for hardware, firmware, integration, and validation workstreams, ensuring timely and quality delivery.

• Actively engage with industrial design, systems engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to synchronize priorities, identify and mitigate risks, and drive sound technical decisions.

• Lead and support prototype bring-up, debugging, and rigorous verification processes.

• Champion design for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and cost reduction initiatives for all assigned components and systems.

• Partner with contract manufacturing partners and internal operations teams to ensure build readiness, develop robust test procedures, and facilitate successful design transfers.

• Ensure embedded software meets stringent requirements for device bring-up, control, diagnostics, secure operation, and field update capabilities.

• Proactively track program milestones, identify technical risks early, and drive resolution of issues that impede execution.

• Mentor junior engineers, facilitate technical reviews, and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical oversight and people management, typical of a Senior Engineering Manager. The mention of "design for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and cost reduction" indicates a strong focus on operational efficiency and product lifecycle management, aligning with GTM and RevOps principles of ensuring scalable and cost-effective product delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Software Engineering, or a related technical field is preferred.

Experience: 8+ years of experience in hardware and embedded systems development, with a minimum of 5 years in a technical leadership or people management role.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in leading hardware and embedded systems development projects from concept through manufacturing.

• Proven ability to build, manage, and mentor high-performing engineering teams.

• Strong background in embedded systems, board-level design, integration, and complex debugging.

• Experience developing connected hardware products through prototype, validation, and manufacturing phases.

• Familiarity with embedded platforms, firmware architecture, boot flows, and system bring-up processes.

• Working knowledge of power, thermal, digital, and mechanical constraints within complex hardware products.

• Proven experience partnering effectively with cross-functional teams and external manufacturing partners.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to execute within a larger program structure.

• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively across diverse teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-volume electronic product development and manufacturing processes.

• Experience supporting contract manufacturing builds and developing factory test procedures.

• Exposure to reliability engineering, failure analysis, or production issue resolution methodologies.

• Experience thriving in fast-paced environments with aggressive development schedules.

• Familiarity with mission assurance principles and system safety fundamentals.

• Knowledge of process control and tools development for system engineering needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep technical expertise in hardware and embedded systems with strong leadership and project management capabilities. The preference for experience in high-volume manufacturing and fast-paced environments suggests the company values operational efficiency and rapid iteration, which are key in the aerospace industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of successful hardware and embedded software development projects, including design documentation, schematics, and firmware code samples.

• Case studies detailing the process of translating system-level requirements into detailed technical plans and execution milestones.

• Examples of managing complex integration and validation workstreams, including methodologies for debugging and verification.

• Documentation showcasing collaboration with cross-functional teams (manufacturing, quality, systems engineering) and external partners.

• Evidence of contributions to design for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and cost reduction efforts.

• Examples of embedded software development lifecycle management, including bring-up, diagnostics, and update support. Process Documentation:

• Workflows for managing hardware and embedded software development cycles, from requirement definition to production release.

• Methodologies for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation within engineering projects.

• Processes for prototype bring-up, testing, and validation, including documentation of findings and resolutions.

• Frameworks for collaborating with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure product quality and scalability.

• Strategies for mentoring engineers and fostering a culture of continuous process improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Engineering Design Manager role, a portfolio should showcase not just individual technical contributions but also the candidate's ability to lead teams, manage processes, and drive projects to successful completion. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating impact through metrics and clear documentation of engineering and operational excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $183,807.00 - $257,328.75 USD per year (WA applicants). Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance coverage.

• Paid Parental Leave for new parents.

• Short-term and Long-term Disability coverage.

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match of up to 5%.

• Education Support Program for continued learning.

• Stock Options for all eligible regular employees.

• Generous Paid Time Off (up to four weeks per year).

• Up to 14 company-paid holidays annually.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and other rewards, subject to company discretion.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week. While this is an on-site role, flexibility may be available based on team needs and project demands, particularly during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to Washington state applicants. It's crucial to note that the range for Grandview, MO, may differ due to regional cost of living and market compensation standards. The benefits package is robust, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and long-term financial security, which is a significant draw for experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace and Space Exploration. Blue Origin is a leader in developing reusable space vehicles, aiming to revolutionize access to space.

Company Size: Large (over 1,000 employees, likely much larger given the scale of operations). This indicates a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact within specialized teams.

Founded: 2000. With over two decades of operation, Blue Origin has a mature but still rapidly evolving culture focused on ambitious, long-term goals.

Team Structure:

• The "Blue Batteries" team is a specialized unit within the broader Blue Origin Operations division, which includes Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance.

• This Senior Engineering Design Manager will lead a small, focused team responsible for battery and avionics hardware and embedded software.

• The role requires close collaboration with various departments, including Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Industrial Design, suggesting a matrixed organizational structure where influence and communication are key. Methodology:

• A strong emphasis on safety, mission assurance, and system engineering fundamentals guides all operations.

• The team is expected to develop processes and tools to support system engineering needs and ensure repeatable, reliable performance.

• A culture of problem-solving, collaboration, and "doers" is promoted, encouraging hands-on contribution and rapid iteration.

Company Website: https://www.blueorigin.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Blue Origin's culture is deeply rooted in its mission to make space accessible. The "Blue Batteries" team is integral to the New Glenn program, meaning this role is at the forefront of developing critical infrastructure for future space missions. The company's size and industry suggest a professional, highly technical, and demanding work environment where innovation and rigorous execution are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Management position, indicating a role with significant responsibility for technical direction, team leadership, and project execution. It sits above individual contributor or junior management roles, requiring strategic thinking and the ability to influence broader program decisions.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Engineering Design Manager will likely report to a Director or higher-level manager within the Blue Origin Operations or New Glenn Program structure. They will manage a team of engineers, potentially including leads for specific sub-disciplines (e.g., hardware design lead, firmware lead).

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and critical impact on the New Glenn launch vehicle's success. Effective management of battery and avionics systems is crucial for launch reliability, safety, and mission success. The manager's ability to drive efficient development processes directly influences program timelines and costs, contributing to Blue Origin's overarching goal of lowering the cost of access to space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced battery technologies, power systems for aerospace, and complex embedded avionics.

• Leadership Advancement: Progress to Director-level roles, managing larger engineering organizations or broader program scopes within Blue Origin.

• Program Management: Transition into program management roles, leveraging engineering leadership experience to oversee entire vehicle subsystems or mission development.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead initiatives to enhance engineering development, manufacturing, and mission assurance processes across the organization.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles within systems engineering, manufacturing operations, or quality assurance, leveraging a deep understanding of hardware and software lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior Engineering Design Manager at a company like Blue Origin is typically steep. It involves not only technical mastery but also the development of strategic leadership, cross-functional influence, and the ability to scale operations and teams in a rapidly expanding industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a primary work location within Blue Origin facilities in Grandview, MO, or the Greater Seattle Area. The environment is likely to be a mix of office spaces for design work and collaboration, and potentially lab or testing facilities for hands-on engineering.

Office Location(s):

• Grandview, MO: Likely associated with manufacturing or specific operational support for the New Glenn program, potentially related to "Blue Batteries."

• Greater Seattle Area: A major hub for aerospace engineering and R&D, likely housing significant design, systems engineering, and program management functions. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, collaborative workspace where engineers work closely with peers, cross-functional teams, and potentially manufacturing partners.

• Technology & Tools: Access to state-of-the-art engineering software, simulation tools, and potentially lab equipment for hardware testing and debugging.

• Team Interaction: Frequent team meetings, design reviews, and cross-functional forums are standard. The culture encourages open communication and direct problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) are expected, the demanding nature of the aerospace industry and aggressive development schedules may require occasional extended hours or weekend work, particularly during critical project phases. The on-site requirement emphasizes the need for direct team presence and hands-on oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of this role underscores the importance of direct supervision, team cohesion, and hands-on engagement with hardware and manufacturing processes. The dual locations suggest a need for strong remote management capabilities if the team is distributed, or flexibility in travel if required.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about experience, leadership style, technical background, and alignment with role responsibilities. Preparation should focus on specific examples of managing teams, driving projects, and overcoming technical challenges.

• Technical Panel Interviews: Multiple interviews with senior engineers, peers, and potentially stakeholders from cross-functional teams (e.g., Systems Engineering, Manufacturing). Expect technical deep dives into hardware design, embedded systems, debugging methodologies, and problem-solving approaches.

• Portfolio Review/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to present a specific project from their portfolio, detailing the problem, their approach, the team's execution, and the outcomes. This is a critical opportunity to showcase process improvement, technical leadership, and impact.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership for final approval, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project presented, focus on measurable results – e.g., % reduction in development time, % improvement in system reliability, successful launch metrics, cost savings achieved.

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight your role in team building, mentoring, process definition, and cross-functional collaboration. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and case studies.

• Process Focus: Demonstrate understanding of the full product lifecycle, from requirements to manufacturing and operations. Explain how you've implemented or improved development and production processes.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss technical challenges in detail, including your problem-solving approach, trade-offs considered, and lessons learned.

• Company Alignment: Research Blue Origin's mission, values, and current projects (especially New Glenn). Tailor your presentation to show how your experience and approach align with their goals and culture.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Problem-Solving: Be ready for hypothetical scenarios related to hardware/firmware design, debugging, or team management issues.

• Process Improvement Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would analyze and improve existing engineering or manufacturing processes.

• Team Management Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing underperforming team members, resolving team conflicts, or motivating engineers.

• Strategic Thinking: Consider how you would prioritize competing demands, manage risks, and align technical execution with broader program objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role at a company like Blue Origin will be rigorous. Candidates must demonstrate not only technical prowess but also strong leadership, strategic thinking, and alignment with the company's mission-driven culture. A well-curated portfolio that highlights process optimization and quantifiable results will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD/EDA Software: Tools for schematic capture and PCB layout (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD).

• Embedded Development IDEs: Integrated Development Environments for firmware development (e.g., IAR Embedded Workbench, Keil MDK, MPLAB X, or specific vendor IDEs).

• Version Control Systems: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) for managing code and design files.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project for tracking tasks, milestones, and team progress.

• Simulation & Analysis Tools: Software for circuit simulation (e.g., SPICE variants, ANSYS), thermal analysis (e.g., ANSYS Icepak), and potentially structural analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Python with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, SciPy for data analysis; MATLAB for numerical computation and signal processing.

• Reporting Platforms: Tools for generating reports on project status, team performance, and technical metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how engineering data feeds into broader company systems (like ERP for manufacturing or PLM for product lifecycle management) is beneficial.

• Automation tools for build processes, testing, and deployment pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, CI/CD pipelines).

• Data logging and analysis tools for hardware testing and performance monitoring.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role will be heavily focused on engineering design and development tools. Proficiency in industry-standard CAD/EDA software, embedded development environments, and version control systems is essential. Familiarity with data analysis tools for performance metrics and tools for process automation will also be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: An unwavering commitment to safety in all aspects of design, development, and operations, aligning with Blue Origin's core mission.

• Mission Assurance: A rigorous approach to ensuring that every component and system meets the highest standards of reliability and performance required for spaceflight.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A culture that fosters open communication, mutual respect, and shared problem-solving across diverse teams and disciplines.

• Innovation & Excellence: Driving continuous improvement, pushing technological boundaries, and striving for unparalleled excellence in all endeavors.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of responsibilities, delivering on commitments, and learning from both successes and failures.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Emphasis on seamless collaboration between design engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and program management to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication channels to surface issues, share knowledge, and facilitate rapid decision-making.

• Feedback Loops: Establishing robust feedback mechanisms between design, manufacturing, and field operations to drive iterative improvements and address real-world performance.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where engineers share best practices, technical insights, and lessons learned to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Blue Origin's culture is deeply intertwined with its ambitious mission. The values emphasize not just technical execution but also a profound sense of responsibility and a collaborative spirit necessary to achieve groundbreaking feats in space exploration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Aggressive Development Schedules: The fast-paced nature of aerospace development, especially for a program like New Glenn, presents a constant challenge to meet ambitious timelines while maintaining quality and safety standards.

• Complex System Integration: Integrating battery and avionics systems into a large, complex launch vehicle requires meticulous attention to detail and robust cross-functional coordination to avoid conflicts and ensure seamless operation.

• New Technology Development: Working with cutting-edge battery technologies and embedded systems may involve inherent uncertainties and require innovative problem-solving to overcome unforeseen technical hurdles.

• Scaling Production: Transitioning from prototype development to high-volume manufacturing for flight hardware presents significant operational and quality assurance challenges that require strong leadership and process management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized training in areas like power electronics, advanced battery management systems, aerospace avionics, and embedded software security.

• Leadership Development Programs: Opportunities to enhance leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills through internal programs and external workshops.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Participation in leading aerospace and engineering conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within Blue Origin and to mentor junior engineers, fostering a continuous learning environment.

• Exposure to New Programs: Potential to contribute to other Blue Origin initiatives beyond New Glenn, broadening experience across different spaceflight technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior engineering role in a cutting-edge, fast-moving industry like aerospace. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for career advancement both technically and managerially.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities between engineering design and manufacturing constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on your process for balancing trade-offs and stakeholder management.)

• "How would you build and motivate a new engineering team to meet aggressive deadlines for a critical subsystem like batteries and avionics?" (Highlight your leadership philosophy, team-building strategies, and methods for fostering a high-performance culture.)

• "Walk me through a complex hardware or embedded software problem you encountered. What was your approach to diagnosing and solving it, and what was the outcome?" (Use the STAR method, emphasizing your technical judgment, problem-solving methodology, and lessons learned.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Blue Origin's mission and the New Glenn program?" (Research the mission and connect it to your personal drive and career aspirations.)

• "How do you ensure a culture of safety and mission assurance within your engineering team?" (Discuss your proactive measures, training approaches, and how you instill these values.)

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams. How do you ensure effective collaboration and alignment?" (Provide specific examples of successful collaboration and how you managed interdependencies.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by key skill areas (e.g., Hardware Design, Embedded Software, Team Leadership, Process Improvement).

• Quantify Results: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the actions taken, and the quantifiable results (e.g., "Reduced test cycle time by 20%," "Achieved 99.9% system uptime in validation testing").

• Highlight Process: Detail the development processes you followed or improved, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and scalability.

• Showcase Leadership: Use your portfolio to demonstrate your ability to lead teams, mentor engineers, and drive projects to successful completion.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key highlights efficiently, focusing on the most impactful projects and achievements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating a strong blend of technical acumen, leadership capability, and a deep understanding of operational processes within a safety-critical engineering context. Quantifiable achievements and clear examples of process improvement will be highly valued.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Engineering Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Blue Origin careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in hardware/embedded systems leadership, team management, process improvement, and successful product development lifecycle execution. Focus on quantifiable achievements and how you drove efficiency and quality.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of hardware/embedded systems experience and your 5+ years in leadership/management roles. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize achievements related to team building, technical execution, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Prepare for Technical & Behavioral Interviews: Review common interview questions for engineering management roles, focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and technical challenges. Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method and be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail.

• Research Blue Origin: Understand the company's mission, values, and the New Glenn program. Be prepared to discuss why you are passionate about this role and how your skills align with Blue Origin's culture and objectives, particularly its emphasis on safety and innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.