Job Information
Blue Origin LLC Senior Optical Systems Design Engineer - Optical Ground Terminals - 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! This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations. The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. We are seeking a Lead Optical Systems Architect to join our Optical Ground Terminal team. You will shape the future of laser communication systems from concept through operational activities. This role encompasses the comprehensive development of the product line, frominitialprototyping to production, ensuring technical rigor and operational success. Your leadership will set the standard for new capabilities and a growing range of customer missions. Special Mentions: Relocationassistancemay be available for thisposition Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may berequiredfor field testing, customer meetings, and technicalreviews Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Optical System Architecture & Design Lead the architectural design and technical direction for ground optical communications systems incorporating: Large telescope and gimbal assemblies, including telescopearrays High-power and low-noise optical fiber amplifiers Pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems Adaptive optics systems Conduct trade studies between different optical architectures andconfigurations Lead optical system modeling, analysis, and performance simulation including tolerance and stray lightanalysis Collaborate with team membersregardingthe end-to-end characterization, modeling, and mitigation of atmospheric turbulence for high-bandwidth laser communication systems, from system architecture and algorithm development to integration and fieldtesting Technical Leadership & Integration Contribute to technology roadmap planning and provide technical oversight for subsystem development andintegration Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and thermal engineers on interdisciplinary designchallenges Develop system requirements, specifications, performance budgets, error budgets, and interface control documents that balance performance, cost, andschedule DevelopConOps, calibration/alignment procedures and commissioningplans Play a meaningful role in design for assembly andmanufacturability Collaborate to develop automation strategies for optical system alignment, calibration, and operationalprocedures Minimum Qualifications: MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field 10+ years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive responsibilities Demonstratedexpertisein free-space optical communication groundsystems Proficiencywith optical system design tools (Zemax, Code V, etc.) Experience with large-aperture telescope systems and pointingrequirements Advanced knowledge of mode-matching techniques and optimiza