Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN • Longmont, CO

50d • 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! The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. SENIOR OPTO-MECHANICAL ENGINEER Location: Longmont, CO (Onsite) Role Summary: The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical lead for the mechanical design, structural analysis, and line-of-sight (LOS) stability of optical communication systems for space environments. This role is critical to a production line. You will own the mount/cell design, Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis, and environmental qualification for an optical payload. Special Mentions: This position requires relocation to Longmont, CO Travel expectations: Up to 10% travel may be required for technical reviews and test campaigns

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (MS preferred) and 10+ years of professional experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space payloads
• Proven expertise in structural FEA (ANSYS/Nastran) for modal, random vibration, and shock analysis
• Expert proficiency in CAD (PTC Creo or NX) for complex opto-mechanical assemblies and production drawings
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM/DFA principles
• Hands-on experience with interfaces, kinematic mounts, and contamination-sensitive optical hardware

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in STOP analysis and athermalization techniques
• Experience with fiber optics, pigtails, and active alignment systems
• Prior flight hardware qualification and environmental test campaign leadership
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 and spaceflight documentation practices

Responsibilities

• Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership Lead mechanical design of sub-assemblies, including telescope mounts/cells, benches, kinematic interfaces, and fiber management systems
• Design for maximum stability against dynamic launch loads (random vibration, shock) and on-orbit thermal cycling
• Define datum/fiducials, build-to tolerances, and align-to tolerances; generate interface control drawings (ICDs) and production-ready drawings with comprehensive GD&T
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Production Integration Drive DFM and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles into the hardware design from the start to enable reliable, cost-effective production
• Interface with internal manufacturing, tooling, and GSE teams to optimize assembly sequences, reduce part count, and simplify fixtures
• Support tolerance stack-ups and dimensional metrology planning to ensure designs meet production quality
• Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) Analysis Perform detailed STOP analysis using Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS/Nastran) to model and predict effects of thermal loads, vibration, and static loads on optical performance (Wavefront Error, MTF, LOS jitter) with Optical Engineer
• Own the LOS stability budget; conduct sensitivity studies for mount compliance, CTE mismatch, thermal gradients, and structural damping
• Optimize stiffness/mass ratios and modal separation strategies to survive vibe/shock while protecting WFE/MTF performance
• Partner with the Thermal & Materials Engineer on athermalization strategies for interfaces
• Verification, Qualification, and AI&T Support Support environmental test campaigns (TVAC, random vibration, shock) and lead root-cause analysis for any structural or mechanical anomalies
• Support hands-on optical alignment and integration in a Class 100/1000 cleanroom, providing mechanical expertise to resolve fit and function issues

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees