Senior Space Optical Communications Architect

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel up to 25%

Security clearance preferred

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Optical Communications Architect within Blue National Security to lead space-based optical communications architecture and terminal design. You will define end-to-end OCT systems, perform trade studies, simulations, and prototyping to de-risk key technologies for civil, commercial, and national security missions.

You will mentor engineers, engage with government customers, and help position Blue Origin as a leader in lasercomm, contributing to strategy,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of hands-on experience in space-based optical communications systems, with demonstrated expertise in lasercomm terminal design and end-to-end system architecture.
• Deep, subsystem-level knowledge of free-space optical (FSO) communications terminal design, including PAT systems, optical apertures, laser sources, and high-rate modems.
• Demonstrated experience defining spacecraft accommodation requirements for optical terminals, including field-of-regard, thermal, structural, and interface constraints.
• Proficiency in optical link budget analysis and end-to-end performance modeling across multiple orbital regimes.
• Experience across multiple lifecycle phases of space systems development, including formulation, prototyping, manufacturing, AI&T, and on-orbit operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct detailed trade studies and risk assessments.
• Familiarity with civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures and programs.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for space-based optical communications (lasercomm) architecture within the Blue National Security Business Unit.
• Lead the architectural design and development of free-space optical (FSO) communications systems, conducting comprehensive analysis of alternatives to determine optimal design choices and system configurations.
• Perform detailed trade studies, simulations, and prototyping efforts to verify design approaches and de-risk key technology items across the full system lifecycle — from formulation and development through AI&T and on-orbit operations.
• Define and develop end-to-end optical communications system architectures, including space-to-space (OISL), space-to-ground, and ground-to-space link configurations across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar regimes.
• Develop deep, subsystem-level expertise in optical communications terminal (OCT) design, including pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, optical telescopes, laser sources, and high-rate modems.
• Define spacecraft accommodation requirements for optical terminals, including field-of-regard analysis, thermal management, structural integration, power, and EMI/EMC interface requirements.
• Establish and maintain link budgets, error analyses, and end-to-end performance models to validate system designs and support mission planning.
• Evaluate civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures to inform Blue Origin's strategic positioning and technology roadmap.
• Work closely with internal and external customers to define capabilities needed to meet mission objectives, and support related strategy development, including go-to-market planning for optical communications systems.
• Identify and mitigate "make or break" technical risks through rigorous analysis and validation of flight‑like hardware, and evaluate manufacturability and producibility of novel components such as low-cost telescopes and lasercomm terminals.
• Collaborate with program managers, systems engineers, and business development teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling proposals and customer solutions.
• Engage with government customers, program offices, and industry partners to understand mission requirements and shape future optical communications programs.
• Author and review technical documents, white papers, trade studies, and proposals related to optical communications systems.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers across the organization, and represent Blue Origin at technical conferences, industry forums, and government engagements.

Skills

FSO communications

lasercomm

end-to-end system architecture

trade studies

analytical skills

communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Optical Communications Architect within Blue National Security to lead space-based optical communications architecture and terminal design. You will define end-to-end OCT systems, perform trade studies, simulations, and prototyping to de-risk key technologies for civil, commercial, and national security missions.

You will mentor engineers, engage with government customers, and help position Blue Origin as a leader in lasercomm, contributing to strategy,