Director, NDT-Non-Destructive Testing

Employer description

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.

This role is part of the 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. 

The Director, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a leader who believes that rigorous inspection and evaluation practices are foundational to building and flying reliable, reusable space vehicles. Critically, this leader must be a strategic thinker — someone who recognizes that scaling NDT through headcount alone is not a sustainable or acceptable path for Blue Origin. The right leader will challenge the status quo by driving automation, partnering deeply with Design Engineering to influence design decisions that reduce or eliminate inspection requirements where appropriate, and continuously improving NDT processes to increase throughput, capability, and efficiency without proportionally growing the workforce. This role demands a forward-looking mindset: one that balances technical rigor with production scalability and relentlessly pursues smarter, leaner ways to assure product integrity. 

A key mandate of this role is to close the current gap between NDT and Design Engineering. Today, NDT is not embedded early or deeply enough in the design process. This Director will be expected to fundamentally change that dynamic — establishing NDT as an integral voice in design reviews, material selection, producibility assessments, and requirements definition from the earliest stages of product development. The goal is to shift NDT from a downstream inspection function to an upstream partner that shapes designs for inspectability, reduces over-inspection, and drives requirements rationalization in collaboration with engineering. 

In this role, you will lead and direct Blue Origin’s enterprise-wide NDT organization, establishing strategies, standards, and processes to ensure the integrity of flight and ground support hardware across all programs and production sites. Serves as the senior technical authority for all NDT methods and applications, acting as a key interface between engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to ensure inspection requirements are met safely, efficiently, and on schedule. Responsible for the strategic development and scaling of the NDT organization in alignment with Blue Origin’s growing portfolio of products and businesses. We are looking for an individual who can implement innovative NDT solutions supporting accelerated manufacturing production, advanced materials and processes, and efficient, predictable production-capable inspection operations that will support sub-orbital and orbital manufacturing and launch. This position will fall under the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance and directly impact the history of space exploration. It will require dedication and detailed attention towards excelling safe and reusable space flight. 

This role is part of the Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance team, which focuses on monitoring and assessing processes that guide Blue Origin design, manufacture, and operations, ensuring system safety engineering, environmental health and safety, product integrity, and continuous improvement processes serve the Blue Origin Mission and Vision. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Strategic Vision & Continuous Improvement 

Develop and execute a forward-looking enterprise NDT strategy that prioritizes automation, technology insertion, and requirements optimization over workforce scaling — growing capability and capacity without proportionally growing headcount Drive a continuous improvement culture within the NDT organization, leveraging Lean principles, process automation, and data analytics to systematically reduce cycle times, eliminate waste, and improve first-pass yield Identify, evaluate, and deploy automated NDT inspection systems (e.g., automated UT scanning, robotic X-ray, machine-vision-assisted inspection) to replace manual, labor-intensive inspection processes in production environments Lead initiatives to rationalize and right-size NDT requirements across programs — partnering with Engineering to critically evaluate where inspection requirements can be reduced, consolidated, or eliminated through improved design, process controls, or analytical methods without compromising product integrity Develop business cases and roadmaps for NDT technology investments, clearly tying automation and process improvement initiatives to production rate readiness, cost reduction, and workforce efficiency goals Design Engineering Integration & Upstream Influence 

Establish NDT as an embedded, early-stage partner in the design process — closing the current gap between NDT and Design Engineering by inserting NDT expertise into conceptual design, detailed design reviews, and producibility assessments from program inception Partner with Design Engineering and Materials & Processes (M&P) teams to influence hardware designs for inspectability, advocating for design features, tolerances, and material selections that simplify or reduce downstream inspection burden Work with Design Engineering to challenge and refine NDT acceptance criteria and inspection requirements, ensuring they are risk-based, technically justified, and not overly conservative — driving requirements rationalization as a standard practice Support new product introduction (NPI) and new process development by proactively evaluating inspectability of designs, identifying potential inspection bottlenecks early, and recommending NDT methods and design changes during design reviews Develop and maintain formal processes and engagement models (e.g., standing participation in design reviews, IPT membership, producibility review gates) that ensure sustained, structured NDT involvement with engineering teams across all programs Operations & Technical Leadership 

Develop and execute standardized NDT processes, procedures, and specifications across all Blue Origin manufacturing and launch sites Lead a team of Senior Managers, NDT Level 3 examiners, NDT Engineers (Level 1 through Prin.), and NDT Technicians (Level 1 through Sr.) responsible for all inspection methods including radiographic testing (RT), ultrasonic testing (UT), penetrant testing (PT), eddy current testing (ET), visual testing (VT), and emerging/advanced methods (e.g., phased array UT, computed tomography, digital radiography, thermography) Serve as the corporate NDT authority, ensuring all NDT processes and procedures comply with applicable customer and regulatory requirements Drive the selection, qualification, and standardization of NDT equipment, techniques, and acceptance criteria across programs Develop inspection processes and acceptance standards in coordination with engineering Manage NDT-related nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions; provide disposition recommendations and technical rationale Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for NDT operations including turnaround time, throughput, technician utilization, escape rate, and first-pass yield Compliance, Accreditation & External Engagement 

Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and specifications (e.g., ASNT, ASTM, AWS, NAS410, SSCMAN 91-710) Familiarity with NADCAP accreditation efforts for all applicable NDT methods across Blue Origin facilities; serve as subject matter expert for NADCAP and customer audits related to NDT Partner with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality to establish NDT requirements for suppliers and support supplier NDT capability assessments and audits Stay current with industry advancements in NDT technology, methods, and standards; represent Blue Origin in industry working groups and standards bodies (e.g., ASNT, AIA-NAS, ASTM committees) People & Resource Management 

Develop and manage the NDT training and development pipeline, including apprenticeship programs, internal Level 1, 2, 3, and Sr. career progression plans for technicians, internal Level 1, 2, 3, Sr., and Prin. engineers, NDT Level III certification development, and continuing education to address workforce scalability Manage capital planning and budgeting for NDT labs, equipment, and facility infrastructure across all sites Represent NDT in design reviews, material review boards (MRBs), program reviews, failure investigations, and executive-level briefings Foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and technical excellence within the NDT organization Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related technical field 10+ years of experience in non-destructive testing, inspection engineering, or related discipline within a manufacturing or production environment 5+ years of people management experience, including leading multi-site or multi-disciplinary teams Deep working knowledge of NAS410 personnel qualification and certification requirements and the ability to map those to Blue Origin’s internal career progression framework Demonstrated experience developing and managing Written Practices, NDT procedures, and technique sheets Demonstrated track record of implementing NDT automation, advanced inspection technologies, or process improvements that measurably reduced manual inspection labor, cycle time, or cost Proven experience partnering with Design Engineering to influence product designs for inspectability and/or rationalize inspection requirements Experience with NADCAP accreditation processes and audit readiness Strong knowledge of NDT applications for metallic and composite aerospace structures, including welded, bonded, cast, forged, and additively manufactured components Proficiency with quality and problem-solving tools such as root cause analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and statistical methods 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 Preferred Qualifications 

Master’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related technical field American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) NDT Level III certification in at least two methods (e.g., UT, RT, PT, or ET) or involvement in ASNT standards development committees Experience in aerospace, defense, or space launch vehicle manufacturing Familiarity with advanced NDT methods such as phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), computed tomography (CT), digital radiography (DR), acoustic emission (AE), or infrared thermography Experience building or transforming an NDT organization from a traditional inspection function into a strategic, engineering-integrated discipline Experience implementing automated or robotic NDT inspection systems in production environments Knowledge of probability of detection (POD) studies and Model-Assisted POD (MAPOD) methodologies Experience supporting hardware from development through rate production, including build-to-print and build-to-spec environments Familiarity with ASME Section V and aerospace material and process specifications (AMS, ASTM) American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent certification Experience with digital transformation initiatives in NDT (e.g., digital data management, AI-assisted defect recognition, paperless inspection records) Familiarity with government and Department of Defense (DoD) quality requirements – Federal Acquisition Regulation / Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (FAR/DFARS) – as they relate to inspection and testing Special Mentions 

Relocation provided – must reside full time in one of our manufacturing sites located in either Kent, WA; Huntsville, AL; or Cape Canaveral, FL Travel expected 20%-30% of the time to support multi-site operations, supplier assessments, audits, and industry engagements  

 Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $203,165.00 - $284,430.30

Other site ranges may differ

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 CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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 scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company’s intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company’s results, or other factors at the company’s sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.
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 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. 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, sex, 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. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.