Senior Space Opto-Mechanisms Design Engineer

Blue Origin LLC; Washington; On-site; USD 198,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Disability Insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock Options

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking an opto-mechanical engineer to lead the design of precision gimbal assemblies and optical drive systems for the TeraWave constellation. You will guide analysis, verification, and manufacturability efforts to ensure space-grade reliability.

The role requires 8+ years in precision mechanisms, strong CAD/FEA skills, and deep knowledge of space qualification testing. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers is essential to delivering robust

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space or aerospace applications.
• Demonstrated experience designing, analyzing, manufacturing, and qualifying gimbal assemblies or multi-axis pointing mechanisms.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software and finite element analysis tools.
• Experience with mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis.
• Knowledge of space qualification testing including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and life testing.
• Experience with bearing systems and precision actuators for space mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals.
• Define and own mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains.
• Drive design trades for gimbal configurations balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime.
• Lead mechanism qualification programs including component- and system-level testing in harsh environments.
• Develop and maintain mechanism design standards, analysis workflows, and documentation for hardware builds and tests.
• Provide technical guidance on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface control.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanisms design principles, analysis methods, and space qualification.

Skills

Experience in precision mechanisms

CAD/FEA proficiency

Kinematics & dynamics

Tolerance analysis & GD&T

Design for Manufacturing/Assembly

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

NASTRAN

COMSOL

Job description

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking an opto-mechanical engineer to lead the design of precision gimbal assemblies and optical drive systems for the TeraWave constellation. You will guide analysis, verification, and manufacturability efforts to ensure space-grade reliability.

The role requires 8+ years in precision mechanisms, strong CAD/FEA skills, and deep knowledge of space qualification testing. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers is essential to delivering robust