Lead Optical Engineering Manager - Space Optics (TeraWave)

blueorigin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Travel up to 15%

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Manager of Optical Engineering in the Seattle area to lead a team responsible for telescope and optical assemblies within the TeraWave payload. You will drive early design concepts through EVT/DVT, align cross-functional teams, and ensure producibility for high-volume production in a demanding space environment.

The role requires 7+ years in optical design and 3+ years in leadership, with STOP analysis experience.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in optical system design with telescope/beam director experience.
• 3+ years leading engineering teams or as a technical lead on optical hardware programs.
• Experience with opto-mechanical design and STOP analysis for space/high-reliability environments.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers through the full design lifecycle, from concept through EVT and DVT.
• Own the technical direction for telescope assemblies and optical light path design for the TeraWave OISL payload.
• Drive detailed opto-mechanical design and STOP analysis processes to meet performance requirements across the mission environment.
• Lead the NPI process, ensuring designs are well-documented and producible at high volume.
• Manage personnel including hiring, workload planning, performance reviews, and career development.
• Partner with systems, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure alignment across the program.
• Support sustaining engineering by providing design documentation and lessons learned to production.
• Identify and manage technical risks, drive design trades, and make recommendations to program leadership.

Skills

Optical design

Team leadership

STOP analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Space hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical/Physics/Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Optical Engineering/Physics

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Manager of Optical Engineering in the Seattle area to lead a team responsible for telescope and optical assemblies within the TeraWave payload. You will drive early design concepts through EVT/DVT, align cross-functional teams, and ensure producibility for high-volume production in a demanding space environment.

The role requires 7+ years in optical design and 3+ years in leadership, with STOP analysis experience.