Blue Origin is a space flight company working towards a vision of millions of people working in space to benefit Earth. Well-known for their New Shepard reusable suborbital rocket, the company is developing the New Glenn orbital rocket and looking towards the Moon and beyond. LGO graduates have been part of Blue Origin’s operations for years, and the company is eager for LGOs to tackle challenges across every stage of the company’s development cycle. Potential internship projects include spacecraft supply chain architecture, using manufacturing data analysis to help increase rates, and maintenance planning for space operations. LGO full-time hires may enter a two-year business rotational program and enjoy executive mentoring and the chance to lead DEI outreach.
Blanca Murga (LGO ’24)
Title: How Complexity Drives Long Lead Times: A Queueing Theory Space Industry Application
Engineering Department: Aeronautics/Astronautics
Tommy Johanson (LGO ’21)
Title: Application of Novel Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Cost Reduction in Space Launch Vehicles
Engineering Department: Aeronautics/Astronautics
The LGO playbook has an opportunity-rich environment at Blue Origin. We have major products in every stage of the development lifecycle, from advanced concept designs for future space architectures to operational reusable rockets. This entire product lifecycle presents challenges ripe for tackling by data-driven, forward-leaning leaders. As we scale up launch operations, engine and rocket manufacturing, and new projects, LGOs have the potential for significant impact and rapid growth within Blue.
Rotational & Leadership Development Opportunities: The Business Rotation program is 2 years in length and focused on developing multi-disciplinary generalist business leaders. The program is made up of three 8-month rotations (individual contributor analyst/project manager roles) across three different business units, focusing on strategy, analytics, and technical project/program management. Participants in the program also participate in formal leadership training, mentorship, and company engagement/outreach events (i.e. DEI workshops, educational tours/workshops, recruiting events, etc.). Each participant is paired with a:
- Project Manager to provide project guidance and access to the tools, training and information needed to complete the project scope and advise on priorities – changes each rotation
- Ambassador who is a member of the MBA Rotation Program Steering Committee to provide guidance and advice on what it’s like to be a successful MBA graduate and help navigate functional orgs and enterprise projects – changes each rotation
- Mentor who is an experienced executive leader with diverse cross functional background to provide career guidance and advice – consistent for all rotations
Recent Post-Graduation Job Titles: Business Analyst, Technical Project Manager, Senior Technical Project Manager
Mercer Borris (LGO ’23)
Senior Manager, Technical Project Manager, Blue Origin
While at LGO: MBA and SM, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Previous studies: Swarthmore, Engineering
Before entering the LGO program, Mercer was a software engineer in various consumer product startups. At MIT she helped lead the New Space Age Conference. She joined Blue Origin to continue her focus on commercial human spaceflight.
Tommy Johanson (LGO ’21)
Senior Manager, Vertical Integration Program Management, Blue Origin
While at LGO: MBA and SM, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Previous studies: University of Maryland at College Park, Aerospace Engineering
Tommy started his career as a US Navy Officer in the surface fleet. At MIT, he conducted the first LGO internship at Blue Origin in additive manufacturing. Joining the company full-time after graduation, he has served in a variety of operations leadership roles.
Dora Aldama (LGO ’18)
Senior Technical Project Manager, Operations Strategy, Blue Origin
While at LGO: MBA and SM, Mechanical Engineering
Previous studies: MIT, Aerospace Engineering
Dora was part of a student space exploration club while an MIT undergraduate, then was an engineer at Pratt & Whitney prior to returning to campus as an LGO student. Dora’s LGO internship was in the Boeing 787 program, and she joined Boeing full-time after graduating, rising to Systems Engineering Production Manager. In 2022 Dora joined Blue Origin’s operations strategy group, where she is driving vertical integration strategy and rate/throughput improvement efforts across all of Blue’s product lines.
Jordan Charles (LGO ’17)
Vice President, New Glenn Stage 1, Blue Origin
While at LGO: MBA and SM, Mechanical Engineering
Previous studies: Duke University, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Jordan joined Blue Origin after graduating from MIT, becoming their first LGO staff member and first dedicated supply chain leader. In his five years with the company, he’s led various supply chain and program management functions, mostly supporting Blue’s New Glenn reusable orbital launch system.
