Senior Manager - TeraWave Optical Engineering

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

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!

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 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

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 revolutionize space-based connectivity anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of thousands of optically interconnected satellites to provide enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

As Senior Manager of Optical Engineering, you will lead a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers responsible for designing the telescope and optical assemblies at the heart of the TeraWave OISL payload.

The team you lead will own the optical design from concept through first build and ensure a smooth transition to high-volume production. This role demands technical expertise in precision optical systems combined with the leadership skills to drive a focused, high-performing team.

Special Mentions

• Location: Seattle, WA area
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
• Travel expectations: Up to 15% for supplier visits, integration activities, and internal reviews

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) analysis processes to meet performance requirements across the mission environment
• Lead the NPI process, ensuring designs are well-documented, producible at high volume, and ready for a successful handoff to the production team
• 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 the production team
• Identify and manage technical risks, drive design trades, and make clear recommendations to program leadership

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in optical system design, with hands-on expertise in telescope or beam director architectures
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead on optical hardware programs
• Experience with opto-mechanical design and STOP analysis for space or high-reliability environments
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline
• Experience with 10cm-class telescope design for space or airborne platforms
• Background in lasercom, OISL, or free-space optical communication systems
• Experience with NPI processes and design-for-manufacturability in a high-volume optical manufacturing environment
• Experience carrying optical hardware through environmental qualification (thermal-vac, vibration, shock)

Why Blue Origin:

At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Senior Manager of Optical Engineering, you will play a crucial role in developing the precision optical technologies that make TeraWave's revolutionary space-based communications network possible. You'll work with world-class teams on challenging problems, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and contribute to missions that will shape the future of space exploration and utilization.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $183,807.00 - $257,328.75

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action and disability accommodation should contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.