SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - OPTICAL SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE - TeraWave

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!  

-

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 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. 

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking an exceptional Senior Principal Engineer to lead the systems architecture for optical and opto-mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. In this role, you will provide technical leadership in pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, link budget development, and ground and on-orbit calibration methodologies. 

Special Mentions:

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. 

Travel expectations: Up to 25% travel may be required for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Lead the systems architecture for optical communications in the TeraWave constellation 

• Develop and own core system performance models, including link budgets and acquisition algorithms 

• Design and implement pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems for reliable optical links 

• Create on-orbit calibration methodologies to ensure optimal system performance 

• Lead technical trade studies for optical architectures, balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost 

Areas where you may provide additional leadership include: 

• Optical telescope and gimbal system design 

• End-to-end testbed development for optical communications 

• Next-generation initiatives beyond the baseline constellation architecture 

• Cross-functional collaboration with GNC and vehicle teams 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field 

• 15+ years of experience in optical systems engineering or related fields 

• Demonstrated expertise in optical communications system architecture 

• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems for space applications 

• Strong background in link budget development and analysis 

• Experience with optical system modeling and simulation 

• Knowledge of on-orbit calibration techniques 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with optical inter-satellite links or free-space optical communications 

• Background in telescope design and optical system optimization 

• Knowledge of star tracker systems and spacecraft attitude determination