Senior Program Manager, Apprenticeships

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 corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.

About Blue Origin

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!

Position Overview

As Senior Program Manager, Apprenticeships, you will own the end-to-end development of Blue Origin's apprenticeship strategy and the relationships that power it. You will create new pathways into aerospace careers by partnering with high schools, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, community and technical colleges, workforce boards, and Blue Origin's apprenticeship intermediary.

Your work will help us meet our growing hiring needs in manufacturing, technical, and operational roles with skilled talent trained to our standards.

This is a build role. We are looking for a leader who has launched training programs and apprenticeship pathways from a blank page, not someone who has maintained programs created by others. You will define the vision, design the programs, earn the trust of community and business partners, and deliver measurable hiring outcomes.

You will partner closely with Talent Acquisition, Early Career, Learning and Development, Manufacturing and Operations leaders, HR Business Partners, Finance, and Legal to align new apprenticeship pathways to workforce plans across our sites.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end strategy, design, launch, and growth of Blue Origin's apprenticeship programs, from first concept through to their first day.
• Partner with Blue Origin's apprenticeship intermediary to register, structure, and scale new apprenticeship pathways, including occupational standards, related instruction, and on-the-job learning plans.
• Work with business leaders and hiring managers to identify roles best suited to apprenticeship pathways and translate workforce plans into program designs and cohort targets.
• Design and build training programs that combine classroom instruction with hands-on learning, defining competencies, curriculum alignment, mentor expectations, and completion milestones.
• Lead community outreach and engagement with schools, local governments, workforce boards, economic development organizations, and community groups to build awareness of aerospace careers.
• Identify and pursue public and private funding opportunities, grants, and workforce development incentives that support program growth and sustainability.
• Navigate federal and state apprenticeship requirements, including Department of Labor registration and compliance, in partnership with Legal and the intermediary.
• Establish and track key metrics, including enrollment, completion, retention, conversion to full-time employment, time to productivity, and program cost, and use data to improve outcomes.
• Manage program budgets, vendor and partner agreements, and resource plans to deliver at scale.
• Collaborate with employer brand and communications partners to tell the story of Blue Origin's apprenticeship programs and the people in them.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior leadership on program progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement in support of Blue Origin's Leadership Principles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience (including military).
• 8+ years of progressive experience in workforce development, economic development, community outreach, talent development, or related fields.
• Experience in community outreach and building partnerships with schools, colleges, workforce boards, employers, or community organizations.
• Working knowledge of economic and workforce development principles, including regional labor markets, public workforce systems, and funding mechanisms.
• Proven ability to establish program goals and metrics, evaluate results, and use data to drive decisions.
• Experience influencing and partnering with senior business leaders and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel as much as 40% to support partners, sites, and program activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating registered apprenticeships or other earn-and-learn programs from inception.
• Experience working with an apprenticeship intermediary or sponsor organization.
• Knowledge of Department of Labor and state apprenticeship requirements.
• Experience in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, defense, engineering, or other highly technical industries.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, lead through ambiguity, and deliver in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience securing grants or public funding for workforce programs.
• Experience building relationships with CTE programs and community or technical colleges in multiple regions.
• Experience managing program budgets and vendor relationships.
• Master's degree in Education, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $134,434.00 - $188,207.25
• 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 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