Senior Manager - TeraWave Optical Engineering

Blue Origin•Southgate, WA

34d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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 revolutionize space-based connectivity anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of thousands of optically interconnected satellites to provid e enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. As Senior Manager of Optical Engineering, you will lead a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers responsible for designing the telescope and optical assemblies at the heart of the TeraWave OISL payload. The team you lead will own the optical design from concept through first build and ensure a smooth transition to high-volume production. This role demands te chnical expertise in precision optical systems combined with the leadership skills to drive a focused, high-performing team.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
7+ years of experience in optical system design, with hands-on expertise in telescope or beam director architectures
3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead on optical hardware programs
Experience with opto-mechanical design and STOP analysis for space or high-reliability environments
Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
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 in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline
Experience with 10cm-class telescope design for space or airborne platforms
Background in lasercom, OISL, or free-space optical communication systems
Experience with NPI processes and design-for-manufacturability in a high-volume optical manufacturing environment
Experience carrying optical hardware through environmental qualification (thermal-vac, vibration, shock)

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers through the full design lifecycle, from concept through EVT and DVT
Own the technical direction for telescope assemblies and optical light path design for the TeraWave OISL payload
Drive detailed opto-mechanical design and STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) analysis processes to meet performance requirements across the mission environment
Lead the NPI process, ensuring designs are well-documented, producible at high volume, and ready for a successful handoff to the production team
Manage personnel including hiring, workload planning, performance reviews, and career development
Partner with systems, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure alignment across the program
Support sustaining engineering by providing design documentation and lessons learned to the production team
Identify and manage technical risks, drive design trades, and make clear recommendations to program leadership