Optical Test Manager, TeraWave Development

BLUE ORIGIN • Seattle, WA

4d • $188,453 - $263,834 • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Test Manager is part of TeraWave, Blue Origin’s satellite communications network, and leads the development test team in Development Labs. The role owns test architecture and test definition for optical payloads, including Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) terminals that must meet stringent pointing, jitter, and optical performance requirements. The team develops v0 test stations for Operations to use as delivered or adapt for production at Hutto. This is a hands-on technical leadership position combining people management with technical decisions about PAT, jitter, wavefront, and environmental testing.

The position owns development test architecture, v0 stations, qualification test plans, and the data needed to verify that new designs meet requirements before release to production. It is based on-site in Redmond, Washington, with occasional travel to Hutto, Texas, to support station handoff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• At least 6 years of hands-on experience in optical or electro-optical test, integration, or qualification of precision hardware.
• At least 2 years of experience leading engineering teams, including hiring and directing engineers as a people manager or as a technical lead accountable for team delivery.
• Experience developing automated optical test stations, including instrument control, data processing, and transfer to production.
• Experience planning and executing qualification test campaigns, including test plans, data review, and release to production.
• Experience with environmental testing of optical hardware, such as thermal cycling, TVAC, or vibration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to align test strategy with senior technical and program leadership.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with free-space laser communication terminals or inter-satellite links.
• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, fast steering mirrors, and jitter characterization.
• Experience transferring development test stations or methods to a production team.
• Experience with wavefront sensing, interferometry, and optical metrology.
• Experience using test data to drive supplier corrective actions.
• Familiarity with laser safety program requirements (ANSI Z136) and cleanroom and contamination control standards.
• Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in using automation or AI tools to improve test productivity.

Responsibilities

• Manage test engineers, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, performance evaluation, and career development.
• Own development test architecture and test definition for TeraWave optical payloads, from component and subsystem testing through terminal-level assembly and verification.
• Lead development of automated v0 test stations integrating wavefront sensing, imaging, reflectometry, and in-house electronics and software; hand off stations to Operations with documentation and requirements traceability for production adaptation.
• Define and execute qualification test plans for new components and design changes, including test flows, data processing and review, cross-functional approvals, and release to production.
• Lead PAT performance and jitter testing, including space-simulation and disturbance-rejection testing to characterize residual jitter under simulated on-orbit conditions.
• Own environmental and thermal screening strategy, including powered thermal cycling and TVAC test development, with a focus on screening strength and cycle time.
• Plan development test capacity across benches and stations, identify constraints early, and resolve them so qualification and design-change testing stays ahead of program needs.
• Design test methods and requirements with testability and production transfer in mind, and support Operations when it adapts development stations or methods.
• Work with design, PAT, Operations, and program leadership to align test strategy and qualification priorities with program objectives.
• Scope, assign, and track team work so each team member has clear priorities and milestones are met.
• Drive a culture of safety and rigor in the lab, including laser safety, test-system configuration management, and traceable test data.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability
• 401(k) with company match of up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
• Paid time off of up to four weeks per year based on scheduled weekly hours
• Up to 14 company-paid holidays
• Employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses depending on role type and job level; eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager