Principal Technical Program Manager - Optical Payload Systems

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!  

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.

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems business unit is building TeraWave, a satellite communications constellation powered by the most advanced optical communications architecture ever attempted: thousands of optically interconnected satellites delivering symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth, providing enterprise and hyperscale customers with resilient, scalable connectivity for critical operations where terrestrial infrastructure cannot reach.

This role reports to the Director of Optical Communications. You will lead a team of Senior TPMs and own program strategy and execution across optical systems, electronics, software, integration and test, and manufacturing. This is a high-autonomy role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast, and has the technical depth to earn credibility with world-class engineers.

Special Mentions:

Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates

Travel: approximately 15–20%

Responsibilities:

• Lead resolution of complex, ambiguous, cross-functional challenges by synthesizing technical, operational, and business perspectives into clear recommendations and decision memos for senior leadership up to the CEO.
• Establish and drive cross-business-unit coordination mechanisms to align TeraWave optical payload initiatives with broader Blue Origin goals, priorities, and dependencies.
• Build strategic relationships across Blue Origin leadership; advocate for program needs, secure resources and decisions, and establish credibility as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders.
• Partner with leadership to translate vision into strategies, roadmaps, and aggressive schedules; own end-to-end program execution across multiple product variants from early development through EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp, removing barriers across teams through proactive coordination and servant leadership.
• Identify and eliminate systemic bottlenecks by establishing scalable processes, mechanisms, tools, and reporting that enable teams to execute with speed and predictability.
• Embed customer and mission focus into program decision frameworks; ensure tradeoffs and prioritization consistently reflect end-user and operational impact.
• Lead and develop a team of Senior TPMs; set the standard for strategic thinking, execution rigor, and accountability across the program management function.
• Build an understanding of the payload technical requirements, interfaces, and dependencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years in technical program management or systems/program leadership in high-volume hardware or complex product development environments.
• Experience managing high-volume commercial product programs with hardware, electronics, software, and systems integration content through development and into production at scale; familiarity with EVT, DVT, and PVT hardware maturity cycles.
• Experience managing complex supply chains and vendor programs at production scale.
• Experience with agile development methods and hybrid hardware/software program execution.
• Track record of building scalable mechanisms and improving organizational effectiveness in fast-paced technical organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at the strategic level; translating ambiguous challenges into structured plans, building executive-ready narratives, and influencing decisions across organizational boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in technical program management or systems/program leadership.
• Experience leading and managing a team of program managers or technical program managers.
• Experience in constellation-scale space programs.
• Advanced degree in engineering, physics, or systems engineering.