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Senior Optical Systems Design Engineer - Optical Ground Terminals - TeraWave

Blue Origin
life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k)
United States, California, Los Angeles
21650 West Oxnard Street (Show on map)
Feb 07, 2026
Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. 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! This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations. 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 deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. We are seeking a Lead Optical Systems Architect to join our Optical Ground Terminal team. You will shape the future of laser communication systems from concept through operational activities. This role encompasses the comprehensive development of the product line, from initial prototyping to production, ensuring technical rigor and operational success. Your leadership will set the standard for new capabilities and a growing range of customer missions. Special Mentions: Relocation assistance may be available for this position Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may be required for field testing, customer meetings, and technical reviews Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Optical System Architecture & Design Lead the architectural design and technical direction for ground optical communications systems incorporating: Large telescope and gimbal assemblies, including telescope arrays High-power and low-noise optical fiber amplifiers Pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems Adaptive optics systems Conduct trade studies between different optical architectures and configurations Lead optical system modeling, analysis, and performance simulation including tolerance and stray light analysis Collaborate with team members regarding the end-to-end characterization, modeling, and mitigation of atmospheric turbulence for high-bandwidth laser communication systems, from system architecture and algorithm development to integration and field testing Technical Leadership & Integration Contribute to technology roadmap planning and provide technical oversight for subsystem development and integration Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and thermal engineers on interdisciplinary design challenges Develop system requirements, specifications, performance budgets, error budgets, and interface control documents that balance performance, cost, and schedule Develop ConOps, calibration/alignment procedures and commissioning plans Play a meaningful role in design for assembly and manufacturability Collaborate to develop automation strategies for optical system alignment, calibration, and operational procedures Minimum Qualifications: MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field 10+ years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive responsibilities Demonstrated expertise in free-space optical communication ground systems Proficiency with optical system design tools (Zemax, Code V, etc.) Experience with large-aperture telescope systems and pointing requirements Advanced knowledge of mode-matching techniques and optimization of free-space to/from single-mode fiber coupling efficiency Previous experience in adaptive optics, wavefront sensing, and wavefront correction techniques Knowledgeable regarding atmospheric absorption and scattering impacts on optical space-to-ground and ground-to-space links Familiarity with fiber optic coupling challenges and solutions Previous experience with infrared cameras and sensors for tracking Experience developing or managing integrated performance of optical systems including understanding of optical loss and throughput budgets, wavefront error, Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis, and precision pointing Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams Preferred Qualifications: 15+ years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive leadership responsibility Previous work with space-to-ground optical communications links Proven track record as a lead engineer on similar programs Experience with at least one additional industry-standard mechanical CAD platform (SolidWorks, CREO, etc.) Experience with atmospheric optical turbulence theory and compensation Proven expertise in atmospheric optics and hands-on experience implementing adaptive optics (AO) control systems to correct for turbulence Experience taking a complete laser communication system from lab to field, including link performance analysis and hardware validation Understanding of fundamental physics and operation of optical amplifier technologies (EDFA, EYDFA, Raman, etc.) Knowledge of advanced and camera-free adaptive optics systems for optical communications such as multi-plane light conversion and photonic lantern techniques Strong background in coherent optical communications principles Experience with optical metrology and testing of complex systems In-depth expertise and publications regarding atmospheric absorption and scattering impacts on optical space-to-ground and ground-to-space links Previous experience with anti-reflective and band pass filter dielectric optical coatings Experience in high power fiber lasers and thermal lensing Program management experience for large optical system development Why Blue Origin: At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe that humanity's future is in space, and we're committed to developing the technologies that will make that vision a reality. As a Senior Optical Systems Design Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in developing the advanced laser communication systems that will enable high-speed data transfer between Earth and space, directly contributing to our mission of building a road to space for the benefit of Earth. This position is critical to the success of our optical ground station development, requiring a candidate who can balance theoretical optical principles with practical engineering implementation and system integration challenges. We are building a team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. Compensation Range for: CA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 Other site ranges may differ Culture Statement Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Export Control Regulations 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 Benefits 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. Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here. Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request. California Applicant Privacy Notice If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.