Welding Shop Lead - Aerospace Fabrication

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 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.
In this role, you will be part of the

Enterprise Fabrication Division

, supporting our Dev. Pad rebuild effort and Tooling sites across Blue Origin.
As part of a hardworking team of technicians, welders, fabricators, and engineers, you will use your skills and knowledge to complete build-to-print and prototype work for various programs and projects across the company. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of fabricating weldments of various size, complexity, and materials while ensuring safety and quality goals are achieved. Mechanical aptitude, ability to follow written and verbal instructions, and ability to communicate as a team member both verbally and in writing paramount. In this role you will collaborate with welders and engineering to ensure designers receive the exact weldment they need.
This position will report to the Welding Supervisor and directly supports the Enterprise Fabrication team.
We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!
B Shift

(Mon-Thu 3:00pm - 1:30am)
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Lead day-to-day operations of the welding shop, supervising personnel and aligning work with production, quality, and safety goals.
Oversee fabrication, assembly, and production planning for complex aerospace hardware.
Set up new production work areas, defining layout, tooling, equipment needs, and workflows to support safe and efficient operations.
Drive the transition from development to full-rate production, including planning and oversight of first-article builds.
Ensure product quality by performing and/or directing second-party verifications and hardware inspections against engineering models, drawings, specifications, and written procedures.
Lead troubleshooting and resolution of production issues, including diagnosing root causes, coordinating rework/repair, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
Conduct formal root cause analyses and implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce defects and prevent recurrence.
Manage daily staffing and workload: establish work station assignments, coordinate employee training, manage overtime, and arrange coverage for absences.
Plan, maintain, and communicate the welding shop schedule to meet internal and external customer expectations and delivery milestones.
Conduct performance reviews, provide regular feedback, and support professional development for team members, including mentoring early-career employees.
Provide first-level HR support to employees, including employee relations, worker's compensation coordination, disciplinary actions, timekeeping, and PTO approvals/escalations.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, reduce cycle and setup times, and increase throughput while maintaining quality.
Own and sustain shop programs, including 5S, Lean practices, cleanliness, and safety, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Ensure team adherence to work instructions, quality requirements, and standardized processes, reinforcing a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
Oversee accurate time and attendance reporting for welding shop staff, including clock-in/clock-out and labor charging.
Maintain and coordinate preventive maintenance for shop equipment and ground support equipment to maximize uptime and reliability.
Collaborate with inspection and engineering teams to develop Procedure Qualification Records (PQRs) and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs) that support production needs.
Support design-for-manufacturing efforts and provide job planning estimates to improve manufacturability, cost, and schedule predictability.
Participate in talent acquisition by conducting interviews, assessing candidates, and providing informed hiring recommendations.
Safely operate and/or oversee the operation of material handling equipment, including forklifts, overhead cranes, aerial lifts, and other ground support equipment, ensuring compliance with all safety protocols.
Ensure production start-up readiness by verifying that people, processes, equipment, and materials are in place to meet launch and production schedules.
Qualifications:
10+ years of direct experience

Experience with FCAW, TIG and stick welding: carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum

Ability to pass practical weld test in all positions to applicable welding code

Ability to troubleshoot welds and welding equipment

Self-sufficient with the ability to work within a team environment or independently as required

Ability to use precision hand tools, standard mechanical tools, and fabrication shop equipment

Ability to develop and fabricate fixtures and tooling

Ability to climb ladders, stairs, work in small/restricted areas, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Ability to earn trust and maintain positive professional relationships.

Desired:
AWS D1.1, D1.2, D1.6, D17.1 certifications

Strong background in joint preparation, fit-up, and fabrication

Plasma and/or oxyacetylene cutting experience

Understanding of GD&T and Welding Symbols

Forklift operation

Rigging experience

Knowledge of NDT methods

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 Check
Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
Required 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 View email address on retailgigs.com . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

J-18808-Ljbffr