EMC/EMI Team Sr. Manager

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Blue Origin is seeking a highly skilled and experienced EMC/EMI Team Manager to join our elite team of experts on the Engineering Center of Excellence Electromagnetics team. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of space exploration by leading the operations, personnel, and strategic direction of our state-of-the-art EMC/EMI test facility. Your leadership will be pivotal in managing laboratory infrastructure, building and developing high-performing teams, overseeing budget and resource planning, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality EMC analysis, component-level testing, and vehicle-level EMC/EMI test and verification results across our advanced aerospace programs.

We are a small team of Electromagnetic problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to technical ambition, culture, and safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and reusable space vehicles. 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.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated leader with deep experience managing Electromagnetics organizations, a strong track record of developing people and processes, and the confidence to respectfully challenge decisions while fully committing to the team’s chosen path forward.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

People Leadership & Team DevelopmentBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing team of EMC/EMI test engineers, laboratory engineers, and support staff capable of executing both component-level and vehicle-level EMC test and analysis programsProvide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and career development guidance to team members at all levelsConduct regular performance reviews, set clear expectations, and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellenceLead workforce planning activities including hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies to ensure appropriate staffing levels across all laboratory and vehicle test programsChampion a team culture grounded in safety, inclusion, and self-motivationMentor and develop future leaders within the Electromagnetics organizationLaboratory Operations & Process ManagementDirect day-to-day and long-range operations of the Blue Origin EMC/EMI test facility, ensuring efficient workflow, resource utilization, and consistent delivery of high-quality results across bench-level testing, EMC analysis activities, and vehicle-level EMC test campaignsEstablish, own, and continuously improve laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and quality management processes in compliance with internal and external standards, including processes tailored to vehicle integration and test environmentsLead laboratory readiness reviews and support audits, accreditation activities, and external customer assessments of laboratory and vehicle test capabilityMaintain laboratory safety protocols and ensure full compliance with Blue Origin Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements and applicable regulatory standards, including safety requirements unique to vehicle-level test environmentsOversee implementation of preventive maintenance and calibration programs, ensuring laboratory uptime and equipment availability are maximized during critical test campaignsEvaluate and champion adoption of new processes, technologies, and automation platforms to drive continuous improvement in laboratory efficiency, EMC analysis capability, and vehicle test output qualityBudget & Resource ManagementOwn and manage the team Annual Operating Plan (AOP), including budget development, cost tracking, variance analysis, and regular budget reviews with program stakeholders and organizational leadership, encompassing both laboratory operations and vehicle-level test support activitiesEnsure responsible stewardship of capital and operating expenditures across equipment procurement, maintenance contracts, calibration services, and consumablesDevelop business cases for capital equipment investments and facility improvements supporting both EMC analysis tools and vehicle test capabilities, presenting recommendations to leadership with clear cost-benefit analysisManage laboratory vendor and supplier relationships, including contract oversight and performance accountabilitySchedule & Conflict ManagementDevelop and maintain the team master schedule, integrating inputs from multiple concurrent programs across component EMC testing, EMC analysis deliverables, and vehicle-level test campaignsProactively identify schedule conflicts and resource constraints across competing test and analysis activities, developing mitigation strategies and communicating resolution plans clearly to all affected stakeholdersFacilitate prioritization discussions with program managers and customers when schedule conflicts arise, driving timely decisions that protect overall program commitmentsMonitor schedule performance and communicate status, risks, and mitigation actions to leadership and customers in a transparent and timely mannerCustomer & Stakeholder EngagementServe as the primary point of contact for internal and external customers seeking EMC/EMI laboratory services, vehicle test support, and EMC analysis products, ensuring clear communication of capabilities, capacity, timelines, and deliverable statusWork closely with program teams to understand test and analysis requirements, establish realistic schedules, and align team resources to meet commitments across all phases of vehicle development and verificationBuild and maintain strong collaborative relationships across engineering, program management, and operations organizationsDeliver high-level briefings and status presentations on team performance, EMC analysis results, vehicle test outcomes, budget, schedule, and strategic initiatives to review boards and executive stakeholdersStrategic LeadershipDefine and execute the long-range vision and roadmap for the EMC/EMI team, including capability development across EMC analysis, laboratory testing, and vehicle-level EMC test operations, as well as facility improvements and workforce growthNavigate technical and programmatic disagreements with confidence and professionalism — actively advocate for well-reasoned positions, then fully commit to and execute the team’s agreed-upon directionDemonstrate self-motivation and ownership in identifying organizational gaps across analysis, test, and vehicle integration activities, and drive initiatives forward with minimal directionCollaborate across functional organizations to align team strategy with broader Blue Origin engineering and program objectives
Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline10+ years of experience managing Electromagnetics engineering teams, programs, or laboratory organizations, with demonstrated growth in scope and leadership responsibility5+ years of direct personnel management experience, including hiring, performance management, and career developmentDemonstrated experience overseeing EMC analysis programs and vehicle-level EMC/EMI test campaigns in an aerospace environmentDemonstrated experience owning and managing Annual Operating Plans (AOP), including budget development, cost tracking, variance reporting, and executive-level budget reviewsProven ability to proactively identify and resolve schedule conflicts across multiple competing program demands spanning laboratory, analysis, and vehicle test activities, with strong skills in priority negotiation and stakeholder communicationTrack record of building strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external customers, with demonstrated ability to align on requirements, manage expectations, and deliver on commitmentsSelf-motivated with a strong sense of ownership — ability to identify needs, initiate action, and drive results with minimal oversight in a fast-paced, ambiguous environmentDemonstrated ability to respectfully disagree during technical and programmatic decision-making processes, articulate well-reasoned alternative positions, and then fully commit to and execute the team’s agreed-upon directionDemonstrated experience managing laboratory or test facility operations, including calibration programs, equipment lifecycle, and facility managementWorking knowledge of EMC/EMI industry standards including MIL-STD-461G, DO-160G, and NASA-STD-4003Experience managing capital equipment procurement and vendor relationshipsStrong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines and manage competing prioritiesExcellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to present effectively to executive audiencesAbility to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusionWillingness to support extended hours and on-call availability during critical test campaigns and vehicle-level test eventsWillingness to travel domestically and internationally to support program activitiesMust 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 asylumPreferred Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with EMC specialization15+ years of industry experience in aerospace EMC/EMI or broader Electromagnetics organizations, including vehicle-level EMC testing and system-level EMC analysisExperience managing or operating a formally accredited EMC/EMI test laboratory (e.g., NVLAP, A2LA, or equivalent)Experience developing and managing training programs for EMC/EMI or electrical bonding procedures in an aerospace manufacturing or test environmentBackground in configuration management for laboratory documentation and process artifactsExperience developing system engineering products such as requirements, interface control documents, and verification reportsBackground in strategic workforce planning and organizational development within a technical engineering environment.
Special Mentions

Relocation providedTravel expected up to 20% of the timeInterviews will include a technical assessment
 Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $183,807.00 - $257,328.75

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.