SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - OPTICAL SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE - TeraWave

Travel expectations: Up to 25% travel may be required for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings., * Lead the systems architecture for optical communications in the TeraWave constellation

• Develop and own core system performance models, including link budgets and acquisition algorithms
• Design and implement pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems for reliable optical links
• Create on-orbit calibration methodologies to ensure optimal system performance
• Lead technical trade studies for optical architectures, balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost

Areas where you may provide additional leadership include:

• Optical telescope and gimbal system design
• End-to-end testbed development for optical communications
• Next-generation initiatives beyond the baseline constellation architecture
• Cross-functional collaboration with GNC and vehicle teams, 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 (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

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field
• 15+ years of experience in optical systems engineering or related fields
• Demonstrated expertise in optical communications system architecture
• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems for space applications
• Strong background in link budget development and analysis
• Experience with optical system modeling and simulation
• Knowledge of on-orbit calibration techniques, * Experience with optical inter-satellite links or free-space optical communications
• Background in telescope design and optical system optimization
• Knowledge of star tracker systems and spacecraft attitude determination
• Experience with environmental testing and qualification of space hardware
• Background in developing end-to-end optical testbeds
• Experience with optical metrology techniques
• Patent portfolio in optical communications or related technologies
• Experience with optical design software such as Zemax or Code V

At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Senior Principal Engineer for Optical Systems Architecture, you will play a crucial role in developing revolutionary optical communication technologies for the TeraWave constellation. You'll work with world-class teams on challenging problems, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and contribute to missions that will shape the future of space exploration and utilization.

Compensation Range for: CA applicants is $194,121.00 - $271,768.35 WA applicants is $194,121.00 - $271,768.35, * 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 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.