Lead Space Opto-Mechanisms Engineer

blueorigin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 231,000 - 323,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Company holidays

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead opto‑mechanical design for the TeraWave constellation. You will develop precision gimbals, telescopes, and avionics enclosures while guiding engineering teams on mechanical interfaces.

This role requires 15+ years in precision mechanisms for space, strong CAD/FEA skills, and a track record of delivering qualified hardware for space environments. Travel up to 20% and relocation support available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space.
• Experience with gimbal assemblies for space environments.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and FEA tools.
• Knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space optics.
• Define mechanism performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins.
• Drive trades balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and lifetime.
• Lead mechanism qualification programs including shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum tests.
• Develop and maintain mechanism design standards and analysis workflows.
• Provide guidance on integration, harness routing, and interface control.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanisms design and space qualification practices.

Skills

Precision mechanisms design

Gimbal assemblies

Aerospace experience

GD&T and tolerance analysis

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Comsol

Job description

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead opto‑mechanical design for the TeraWave constellation. You will develop precision gimbals, telescopes, and avionics enclosures while guiding engineering teams on mechanical interfaces.

This role requires 15+ years in precision mechanisms for space, strong CAD/FEA skills, and a track record of delivering qualified hardware for space environments. Travel up to 20% and relocation support available.