Technical Program Manager, Optical Payload Software – TeraWave

BLUE ORIGIN • Seattle, WA

14d • $145,188 - $203,263

About The Position

Blue Origin's TeraWave program is developing cutting-edge free-space optical communication terminals to enable high-bandwidth connectivity for enterprise and government customers. We are seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the software development effort for optical payload and ground terminals, from initial concept through delivery. This role requires a unique combination of software program management expertise and sufficient technical depth in optical and photonic systems to drive effective cross-functional execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, optical engineering, physics, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in software or hardware development programs
• 3+ years in a TPM, program management, or systems engineering leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing complex software development programs through the full lifecycle, from concept through production
• Working knowledge of optical systems (free-space optics, fiber optics, photonics, or similar) and their manufacturing test requirements
• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as MS Project or Smartsheet
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience with laser communication terminals, lidar, or electro-optical systems
• Background in space, aerospace, or defense software and hardware development
• PMP certification or equivalent
• Experience with agile or hybrid development methodologies

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end planning, scheduling, and execution for optical payload software development, initially focused on flight software and expanding to manufacturing test software as the program matures
• Define and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS), identifying the critical path and managing dependencies across software, hardware, and systems teams
• Track program milestones, deliverables, risks, and issues, driving resolution with urgency
• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and forecasting across the software development effort
• Lead program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and executive-level status reporting
• Serve as the technical integrator across software, optical, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
• Drive architecture trades, design decisions, and requirements decomposition for payload software
• Identify technical risks early and lead mitigation planning
• Translate complex engineering challenges into actionable program decisions
• Partner with systems engineering to ensure terminal performance requirements and manufacturing test software requirements are met
• Align stakeholders across software engineering, systems engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, test, and operations
• Coordinate with hardware teams and systems-level teams to ensure software integration compatibility
• Communicate program status clearly to leadership and customers

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%
• Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
• up to 14 company-paid holidays

What This Job Offers

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