Technical Program Manager, Optical Payload Software – TeraWave

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Technical Program Manager for the TeraWave optical payload software program in Washington state. You will lead software development from concept to delivery, coordinating across software, optical, mechanical, and electrical teams to meet performance and manufacturing needs.

The role requires deep technical depth in optical systems, strong governance skills, and experience with integrated master schedules and program reviews.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in software or hardware development programs.
• 3+ years in a TPM, program management, or systems engineering leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex software development programs through the full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end planning, scheduling, and execution for optical payload software development.
• Define and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS) across software, hardware and systems teams.
• Track program milestones, risks, and issues; drive resolution with urgency.
• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and forecasting across the software development effort.
• Lead program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and executive-level status reporting.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Software/hardware development

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

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.

Technical Program Manager, Optical Payload Software – TeraWave

About the Role

Blue Origin's TeraWave program is developing cutting-edge free-space optical communication terminals to enable high-bandwidth connectivity for enterprise and government customers. We are seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the software development effort for optical payload and ground terminals, from initial concept through delivery. This role requires a unique combination of software program management expertise and sufficient technical depth in optical and photonic systems to drive effective cross-functional execution.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end planning, scheduling, and execution for optical payload software development, initially focused on flight software and expanding to manufacturing test software as the program matures
• Define and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS), identifying the critical path and managing dependencies across software, hardware, and systems teams
• Track program milestones, deliverables, risks, and issues, driving resolution with urgency
• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and forecasting across the software development effort
• Lead program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and executive-level status reporting

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical integrator across software, optical, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
• Drive architecture trades, design decisions, and requirements decomposition for payload software
• Identify technical risks early and lead mitigation planning
• Translate complex engineering challenges into actionable program decisions
• Partner with systems engineering to ensure terminal performance requirements and manufacturing test software requirements are met

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Align stakeholders across software engineering, systems engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, test, and operations
• Coordinate with hardware teams and systems-level teams to ensure software integration compatibility
• Communicate program status clearly to leadership and customers

Qualifications

• Required Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, optical engineering, physics, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in software or hardware development programs
• 3+ years in a TPM, program management, or systems engineering leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing complex software development programs through the full lifecycle, from concept through production
• Working knowledge of optical systems (free-space optics, fiber optics, photonics, or similar) and their manufacturing test requirements
• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as MS Project or Smartsheet
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred

• Experience with laser communication terminals, lidar, or electro-optical systems
• Background in space, aerospace, or defense software and hardware development
• PMP certification or equivalent
• Experience with agile or hybrid development methodologies

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

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, 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

• 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’sAffirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there.

At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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