Aerospace
10 Blue Origin engineering leaders
These ten people hold or have held director, senior director and vice president engineering roles at Blue Origin, across software, systems, avionics, engines and launch vehicle work. A reader can learn how engineering leaders build and run their teams at a space company.
Professionals to explore
01—10Daniel Kinney
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Software Engineering and Product · Blue Origin
Vice President of Software Engineering and Product at Blue Origin since July 2025, based in Seattle. Daniel Kinney was formerly Sr Director- Automation and Software Development at Blue Origin (2019–2025), Director of Engineering and Data Products at iSpot (2017–2019) and Practice Lead, Sr Director Advanced Analytics and Data Solutions at Bridge Partners (2016–2017).
James Chen
LinkedInExperience: Director of Software Engineering · Blue Origin
Director of Software Engineering at Blue Origin since January 2021, a role the profile describes as responsible for strategic planning and technical leadership. At Blue Origin James Chen was also Software Engineering Manager (2017–2021) and Senior Software Engineer (2014–2017), and was formerly Senior Software Engineer at Cisco (2011–2014).
Jarret Morton
LinkedInExperience: Enterprise Engineering Tools and Processes Sr. Director · Blue Origin
Enterprise Engineering Tools and Processes Sr. Director at Blue Origin since August 2024. Other Blue Origin roles include New Shepard Rocket Engine Program Manager (2022–2024) and Lunar Lander Rocket Engine Deputy Program Manager (2019–2022), and Jarret Morton was formerly Director of Spaceship Propulsion at The Spaceship Company (2015–2017).
Jill Cattrysse-Larson
LinkedInExperience: Systems Engineering Senior Director · Blue Origin
Systems Engineering Senior Director at Blue Origin since July 2024, a role the profile lists in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Jill Cattrysse-Larson was also Spaceflight Operations Sr Director at Blue Origin (January to August 2024) and was formerly Systems Engineering Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin (2018–2024).
John Havard
LinkedInExperience: Director, Avionics Engineering · Blue Origin
Director, Avionics Engineering at Blue Origin since September 2019; the profile describes John Havard as Director of the Avionics Hardware group on the New Shepard team. Former roles include Vice President, Product Development at Magnolia Medical Technologies (2017–2019) and Vice President of Engineering Chief Technical Officer at Stratos Product Development (2007–2017).
Jonathan Feng
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director, Blue Engines Systems Engineering · Blue Origin
Sr. Director, Blue Engines Systems Engineering at Blue Origin since October 2024; the profile describes the role as Sr. Director of Systems Engineering & Specialties for the Engines business unit at Blue Origin. Jonathan Feng's former Honeywell Aerospace roles include Sr. Director Development Programs (2020–2024) and Engineering Director (2015–2020).
Justin Brynestad
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Vehicles, Ground and Software Engineering · Blue Origin
Former Senior Director, Vehicles, Ground and Software Engineering at Blue Origin (March 2021 to March 2024) and former Vice President, Vehicles and Ground Systems at Blue Origin (2024–2026). Justin Brynestad was also Director, New Shepard R&D and Production at Blue Origin (2019–2021) and has been Senior Vice President, Vulcan at Xcimer Energy since April 2026.
Michael Burghardt
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director of Systems Engineering on New Glenn launch Vehicle · Blue Origin
Sr. Director of Systems Engineering on New Glenn launch Vehicle at Blue Origin since June 2020. Former Boeing roles include Boeing Space and Launch - Lunar Lander Program Chief Architect Chief Engineer (2019–2020), Commercial Crew Transportation Launch Segment Director (2015–2019) and Commercial Crew Transportation Spacecraft Development Engineering Director (2009–2015).
Phillip Bradley
LinkedInExperience: Aerospace Engineering, Director · Blue Origin
Aerospace Engineering, Director at Blue Origin since August 2017, in Kent, Washington; the profile describes the role as Director, New Glenn Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) labs. Phillip Bradley's former United Launch Alliance (ULA) roles include Avionics Specialty Engineering Manager (2012–2017) and Technical Lead - Batteries (2006–2012).
Robb Hughes
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Engineering Center of Excellence · Blue Origin
Senior Director Engineering Center of Excellence at Blue Origin since July 2025, based in Huntsville, Alabama. At Blue Origin Robb Hughes was also Senior Director Systems & Avionics Center of Excellence (2023–2025) and Senior Director Avionics Center of Excellence (2021–2023), and was formerly Avionics & Controls Chief Engineer at Northrop Grumman (2009–2021).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person to the engineering discipline behind your question, since software, systems engineering, avionics and engine work are led by different teams. Check each person's dates before asking how Blue Origin runs a program today, since some roles listed here have ended.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you split engineering authority between vehicle programs and engineering centers of excellence?
- 02What does it take to move a rocket or engine design from development into reusable flight operations?
- 03How do you build software and avionics teams for human-rated space vehicles?
Reaching Blue Origin engineering leaders
How can I contact one of these Blue Origin engineering leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Blue Origin, based on profile data retrieved on October 5, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Blue Origin engineering leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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