Director, HR Technology and Software Engineering

Application close date:

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!  

Blue Origin is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Director of HR Technology and Software Engineering to join our People Operations team in Renton, WA. This role will collaborate with HR leaders, Enterprise Technology partners, and HRIS developers to leverage cutting-edge technology, including AI/ML solutions, to transform the digital employee and candidate experience. The Director will lead the development of next-generation software, streamline HR processes and workflows, and drive operational excellence. Reporting to the leader of People Operations and Technology, this leader will play a key role in delivering the Human Resources digital transformation strategy and objectives.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead a team of HR software development and technology professionals developing custom HR technology solutions and optimizing enterprise HR systems including the Human Capital Management (HCM) system and Learning Management System (LMS).
• Strategically lead and integrate Generative AI and Machine Learning into HR. Develop and implement AI/ML solutions.
• Establish an HR innovation pipeline by developing technical roadmaps, architecture, and opportunities by optimizing existing platforms as well as leading the development of new-build applications. Challenge the status quo to drive solutions for Blue Origin that reduce the overall cost of delivering HR services while improving the employee experience.
• Be willing and able to roll up sleeves and code / design on occasion, collaborating with the engineering team to contribute to critical projects, conduct code reviews, and provide technical guidance when necessary while balancing leadership responsibilities.
• Collaborate and lead discussions with senior Enterprise Technology (ET), HR, Finance and Accounting and other partners to influence technical direction, resolve technology problems and modify systems to meet changing business requirements.
• Establish mechanisms for User Centered Design including end-user listening, identification of pain points and systematically reduce waste and improve experience.
• Drive operational excellence as you oversee a continuous improvement and feature-release process that achieves recurring value-add through the implementation of new HR applications, capabilities, enhancements and successful HR events. Manage priorities and trade-offs, and drive alignment among stakeholders.
• Mentor technical leaders and grow a world-class HR software engineering organization focused on enhancing the employee experience and embedding AI.
• Partner closely with the People Analytics team to integrate tools, workflows and feedback loops to improve data accuracy, quality and the impact of our people analytics products.
• Manage HR Technology supplier relationships.
• Mature KPIs to ensure health of our HR systems, integrations and security. Manage HRIS internal metrics. Establish appropriate auditing and monitoring of HR data to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Hold teams accountable for optimizing the cost, risk mitigation, and value of systems and products through staffing, forecasting, budgeting, and spending control.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, or a similar discipline; Masters preferred.   
• 10+ years of Software development experience including 4+ years managing teams strongly preferred  
• Experience building products
• An entrepreneurial mindset focused on solving hard problems and putting the customer first
• Strong bias for using AI as a tool and for incorporating into software products
• History of building organizational mechanisms to improve operational excellence
• Demonstrated verbal and written communications skills, including outstanding facilitation, collaboration, and influencing capability, effective interpersonal skills, and strong executive presentation development and delivery skills
• Ability to influence, create relationships, and collaborate internally and externally at all organizational levels, including problem-solving and conflict resolution   
• Experience with budget management and KPI tracking and reporting   
• Trustworthy, with high integrity, and the ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

• Workday Experience preferred
• 2+ years experience building products that use or incorporate Large Language Models 
• Experience building Human Resources software   

Compensation Range for:

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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