The former leader of United Launch Alliance has landed at Blue Origin. 

Tory Bruno, a 1985 graduate of Cal Poly, has been hired as president of national security and will spearhead the company’s newly formed National Security Group, Blue Origin officials said Friday.

“We share a deep belief in supporting our nation with the best technology we can build,” Blue Origin Chief Executive Officer Dave Limp said. “Tory brings unmatched experience, and I’m confident he’ll accelerate our ability to deliver on that mission.”

The ULA board announced before Christmas that Bruno would leave the firm formed from Lockheed Martin and Boeing rocket manufacturing lines, putting the Atlas and Delta families under one roof. 

Under Bruno’s leadership, ULA developed the Vulcan rocket, which uses Blue Origin engines.

“We are going to bring important, innovative and urgently needed capabilities to our nation. Can’t wait to get started,” Bruno said. 

Vulcan has launched from Florida and is expected to have its West Coast debut in 2026, where it will lift off from the recently modified Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. 

Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, developed the New Glenn reusable rocket along with New Shepard rocket and other space products.