Senior Optical Systems Design Engineer – Optical Ground Terminals TeraWave

El Segundo, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 145188 - 203263

Posted on: 13 hours 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.

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 deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

We are seeking a Lead Optical Systems Architect to join our Optical Ground Terminal team. You will shape the future of laser communication systems from concept through operational activities. This role encompasses the comprehensive development of the product line frominitialprototyping to production ensuring technical rigor and operational success. Your leadership will set the standard for new capabilities and a growing range of customer missions.

Special Mentions:

Relocationassistancemay be available for thisposition
Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may befor field testing customer meetings and technicalreviews

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Optical System Architecture & Design

Lead the architectural design and technical direction for ground optical communications systems incorporating:
Large telescope and gimbal assemblies including telescopearrays
High-power and low-noise optical fiber amplifiers
Pointing acquisition and tracking systems
Adaptive optics systems
Conduct trade studies between different optical architectures andconfigurations
Lead optical system modeling analysis and performance simulation including tolerance and stray lightanalysis
Collaborate with team membersregardingthe end-to-end characterization modeling and mitigation of atmospheric turbulence for high-bandwidth laser communication systems from system architecture and algorithm development to integration and fieldtesting

Technical Leadership & Integration

Contribute to technology roadmap planning and provide technical oversight for subsystem development andintegration
Collaborate with mechanical electrical software and thermal engineers on interdisciplinary designchallenges
Develop system requirements specifications performance budgets error budgets and interface control documents that balance performance cost andschedule
DevelopConOps calibration/alignment procedures and commissioningplans
Play a meaningful role in design for assembly andmanufacturability
Collaborate to develop automation strategies for optical system alignment calibration and operationalprocedures

Minimum Qualifications:

MS or PhD in Optical Engineering Physics or related field
10 years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive responsibilities
Demonstratedexpertisein free-space optical communication groundsystems
Proficiencywith optical system design tools (Zemax Code V etc.)
Experience with large-aperture telescope systems and pointingrequirements
Advanced knowledge of mode-matching techniques and optimization of free-space to/from single-mode fiber coupling efficiency
Previousexperience in adaptive optics wavefront sensing and wavefront correction techniques
Knowledgeable regarding atmospheric absorption and scattering impacts on optical space-to-ground and ground-to-space links
Familiarity with fiber optic coupling challenges and solutions
Previousexperience with infrared cameras and sensors for tracking
Experience developing or managing integrated performance of optical systems including understanding of optical loss and throughput budgets wavefront error Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis and precisionpointing
Experience collaborating with cross-functionalteams

Preferred Qualifications:

15 years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive leadership responsibility
Previouswork with space-to-ground optical communications links
Proventrack recordas a lead engineer on similar programs
Experience with at least oneadditionalindustry-standard mechanical CAD platform (SolidWorks CREO etc.)
Experience with atmospheric optical turbulence theory andcompensation
Provenexpertisein atmospheric optics and hands-on experience implementing adaptive optics (AO) control systems to correct forturbulence
Experience taking a complete laser communication system from lab to field including link performance analysis and hardwarevalidation
Understanding of fundamental physics and operation of optical amplifier technologies (EDFA EYDFA Raman etc.)
Knowledge of advanced and camera-free adaptive optics systems for optical communications such as multi-plane light conversion and photonic lantern techniques
Strong background in coherent optical communications principles
Experience with optical metrology and testing of complexsystems
In-depthexpertiseand publications regarding atmospheric absorption and scattering impacts on optical space-to-ground and ground-to-space links
Previousexperience with anti-reflective and band pass filter dielectric optical coatings
Experience in high power fiber lasers and thermallensing
Program management experience for large optical systemdevelopment

Why Blue Origin:

At Blue Origin we are driven by our company motto GradatimFerociter meaning Step by StepFerociously. We believe that humanitys future is in space andwerecommitted to developing the technologies that will make that vision a reality. As a Senior Optical Systems Design Engineeryoullplay a crucial role in developing the advanced laser communication systems that will enable high-speed data transfer between Earth and space directly contributing to our mission of building a road to space for the benefit of Earth.

This position is critical to the success of our optical ground station development requiring a candidate who can balance theoretical optical principles with practical engineering implementation and system integration challenges.

We are building a team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experiencedoesntalign perfectly with every qualification we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

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 ...