Job Information
Blue Origin LLC Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave in Seattle, Washington
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! - The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications withTeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6Tbpsanywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking an exceptional Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership in opto-mechanical design for ourTeraWaveconstellation. In this role, you will focus on developing critical optical systems including telescopes and gimbal assemblies whileprovidingtechnical guidance on avionics enclosures and optical ground stations. Special Mentions: Relocationassistanceis available for qualified candidates. Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may berequiredfor integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Lead the architectural design of opto-mechanical systems for space-based optical communications, with emphasis on telescope design and gimbal assemblies Develop STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows to predict on-orbit performance Create detailed error budgets for manufacturing, thermal, structural, alignment, and measurement errors Lead technical trade studies balancing cost, schedule, performance, and risk Providetechnical guidance to engineering teams on system architecture and integration challenges Mentor junior engineers in opto-mechanical design principles Support production transition efforts through knowledge transfer and documentation Examples ofadditionalareas where you may contribute include: Optical ground station design Avionics enclosure packaging optimization Design for manufacturing improvements Supplier development for specialized optical components Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field 15+ years of experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space or aerospace applications Demonstratedexperiencedesigning, manufacturing, and integrating complex optical and precision mechanical systems Experience with altitude-over-azimuth gimbal systems and compact telescope designs Proficiencyin CAD software and finite element analysis tools Knowledge of space qualification testing including vibration and thermal vacuum environments Experience with optical alignment techniques and metrology Strong understanding of structural, thermal, and optical performance interactions Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field Experience with optical communications systems for space applications Knowledge of single-pointdiamond turningmanufacturing techniques Experience with fast steering mirror systems and precision pointing mechanisms Background in developing optical ground stationsor space terminals Experience transitioning complex optical systems from development to production Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles and techniques Experience with statis