About This Role
This high-impact, high-visibility role sits at the intersection of advanced technology development and strategic mission planning within Blue Origin's National Security Business Unit. As a senior individual contributor and technical authority within the Advanced Concepts organization, you will shape the future of space-based optical communications. You will apply deep expertise in free-space optical (FSO) communications to define, develop, and advocate for next-generation lasercomm capabilities across civil, commercial, and national security domains.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the principal technical authority for space-based optical communications (lasercomm) architecture within the Blue National Security Business Unit
- Lead the architectural design and development of free-space optical (FSO) communications systems, conducting comprehensive analysis of alternatives to determine optimal design choices and system configurations
- Perform detailed trade studies, simulations, and prototyping efforts to verify design approaches and de-risk key technology items across the full system lifecycle — from formulation and development through AI&T and on-orbit operations
- Define and develop end-to-end optical communications system architectures, including space-to-space (OISL), space-to-ground, and ground-to-space link configurations across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar regimes
- Develop deep, subsystem-level expertise in optical communications terminal (OCT) design, including pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, optical telescopes, laser sources, and high-rate modems
- Define spacecraft accommodation requirements for optical terminals, including field-of-regard analysis, thermal management, structural integration, power, and EMI/EMC interface requirements
- Establish and maintain link budgets, error analyses, and end-to-end performance models to validate system designs and support mission planning
- Evaluate civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures to inform Blue Origin's strategic positioning and technology roadmap
- Work closely with internal and external customers to define capabilities needed to meet mission objectives, and support related strategy development, including go-to-market planning for optical communications systems
- Identify and mitigate "make or break" technical risks through rigorous analysis and validation of flight-like hardware, and evaluate manufacturability and producibility of novel components such as low-cost telescopes and lasercomm terminals
- Collaborate with program managers, systems engineers, and business development teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling proposals and customer solutions
- Engage with government customers, program offices, and industry partners to understand mission requirements and shape future optical communications programs
- Author and review technical documents, white papers, trade studies, and proposals related to optical communications systems
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers across the organization, and represent Blue Origin at technical conferences, industry forums, and government engagements
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 12+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in space-based optical communications systems, with demonstrated expertise in lasercomm terminal design and end-to-end system architecture
- Deep, subsystem-level knowledge of free-space optical (FSO) communications terminal design, including PAT systems, optical apertures, laser sources, and high-rate modems
- Demonstrated experience defining spacecraft accommodation requirements for optical terminals, including field-of-regard, thermal, structural, and interface constraints
- Proficiency in optical link budget analysis and end-to-end performance modeling across multiple orbital regimes
- Experience across multiple lifecycle phases of space systems development, including formulation, prototyping, manufacturing, AI&T, and on-orbit operations
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct detailed trade studies and risk assessments
- Familiarity with civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures and programs
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
Nice to have:
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Direct experience supporting or leading optical communications programs for DoD, NRO, USSF, or NASA customers
- Experience with payload accommodation strategies and influencing satellite bus designs
- Familiarity with SDA (Space Development Agency) transport layer optical terminal standards and OISL interoperability requirements
- Experience with coherent optical communications systems and advanced modulation formats (e.g., DPSK, BPSK)
- Knowledge of atmospheric turbulence effects on ground-to-space optical links and associated mitigation techniques (e.g., adaptive optics, aperture averaging)
- Experience with constellation analysis, optimization, and "systems of systems" architecture development
- Proven track record contributing to competitive government proposals or business capture efforts
- Experience presenting at SPIE, AIAA, or equivalent technical conferences on optical communications topics
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
- Eligibility 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
Important Details
- Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed
- Travel: Up to 25%
- Security clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (an active clearance is strongly preferred)
- Background Check: Required for all positions (Blue’s Standard Background Check)
- Background Check: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
- Background Check: 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, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training
- Background Check: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical
About the Company
At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The company is working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), which focuses on the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, an all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, Blue Origin provides unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.
