Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer TeraWave

El Segundo, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 145188 - 203263

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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. Were 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!

This role is part of TeraWave a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise data center and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

Location: Los Angeles CA (Onsite)

Role Summary:

The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical lead for mechanical design structural analysis and line-of-sight (LOS) stability of optical communication systems for space environments. You will own mount and cell design telescope design with precision alignment environmental qualification and volume production ramp-up for TeraWaves satellite communications payload.

Special Mentions:

This position requires relocation to Los Angeles CA
Travel expectations: Up to 10% of travel may be required for technical reviews and test campaigns

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership

Lead the optomechanical design of precision optical assemblies subsystems and payloads for space-qualified laser communication terminals.
Define mechanical architectures for optical mounts structures mechanisms and interfaces that preserve alignment and optical performance through launch environments (random vibration shock) and on-orbit thermal cycling.
Establish datum points fiducials build-to tolerances and align-to tolerances with clear acceptance criteria.
Generate interface control drawings (ICDs) and production-ready engineering drawings with comprehensive geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) specifications.

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Production Integration

Embed Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout hardware design to enable reliable cost-effective production while maintaining optical performance.
Partner with internal manufacturing tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) teams to optimize assembly sequences reduce part count and simplify alignment fixtures.
Support tolerance stack-ups and dimensional metrology planning to ensure designs meet production quality standards.
Interface with component vendors on manufacturing feasibility schedule and technical requirements.

Verification Qualification and AI&T Support

Define alignment strategies tooling requirements fixtures and assembly procedures for precision optical systems.
Lead or support environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum TVAC random vibration shock) and direct root-cause analysis for structural or mechanical anomalies.
Execute hands-on optical alignment and integration activities in Class 100/1000 cleanroom environments providing mechanical expertise to resolve fit-and-function issues.
Develop contamination control procedures and validate assembly processes to meet cleanliness specifications.

STOP Integration & Optical Performance Optimization

Work with Optical and Thermal teams to define line-of-sight (LOS) jitter and wavefront error (WFE) budgets. Set mechanical design margins and tolerances that survive launch vibration thermal cycling and on-orbit operations.
Minimize optical performance degradation by optimizing material selection stiffness interface design and mount geometry. Account for thermal expansion mount compliance and structural damping across temperature extremes and load conditions.
Iterate Design Based on Analysis: Collaborate with Optical Thermal and Structural Engineers to translate predicted optical performance into mechanical design changes and tolerance requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

BS in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related discipline (MS preferred)
10 years of professional experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space payloadsor comparable high-reliability precision systems
Hands-on experience designing kinematic mounts and mechanical interfaces for contamination-sensitive optical hardware
Expert-level proficiency in CAD software (PTC Creo NX SolidWorks or equivalent) for complex opto-mechanical assemblies and production drawings
Strong command of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) tolerance stack analysis and DFM/DFA principles
Direct experience planning and executing environmental qualification tests including thermal-vacuum (TVAC) random vibration and shock campaigns

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior flight hardware qualification successful environmental test campaign leadership or on-orbit anomaly resolution
Demonstrated experience designing telescopes or similar precision reflective optical systems for space or aerospace applications
Hands-on experience with precision optical alignment tools (autocollimators laser trackers interferometers)
Proven expertise in structural FEA (ANSYS/Nastran) for modal random vibration and shock analysis
Proven proficiency in STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) methodology; design of athermalization strategies; modeling thermal effects on optical performance

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $145188.00 - $203263.20 WA applicants is $145188.00 - $203263.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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.
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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys 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 Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.

Required Experience:

Senior IC

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. Were working to develop reusable safe and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture ...