I plan to hire multiple Engineers.
If you have these skills, please send me your resume with the Job title in the email subject.
Thanks,
Unsig Min
umin@blueorigin.com
1. SENIOR SYSTEM ARCHITECT
Location: Hybrid (Onsite as needed for lab/integration activities)
Role Summary
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.
As the Senior System Architect for our next-generation optical communications program, you will define the end-to-end technical vision for a system designed to set new standards in space-based connectivity. You will own the architecture for an Optical Communications system, translating ambitious mission objectives into a resilient, high-performance system ready for the space environment.
You will be responsible for architecting the optical communications terminals. Your decisions will balance link margin, pointing precision, and deterministic throughput under challenging constraints. The architecture and trades you lead will form the technical foundation of the program, enabling the team to achieve critical design and performance milestones.
Special Mentions
· This position may include relocation assistance
· Travel expectations: Up to 15% travel to supplier facilities, test sites, and other Blue Origin locations
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Architecture & System Trades
· Establish the end-to-end mission architecture, including wavelength selection, link geometry, autonomy and redundancy strategies, and initial allocations for size, weight, power, and thermal (SWaP-T)
· Drive system-level trades for the terminal's aperture, converging on an optimal balance of link margin, pointing accuracy, throughput, structural stiffness, and thermal management
· Flow down performance budgets to all subsystems (Optics, PAT, Modem, Electronics) with rigorous Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and calibration strategies
· Integrate Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis into system budgets and define clear acceptance criteria for hardware verification and vendor Statements of Work (SOWs)
Pointing, Acquisition & Tracking (PAT)
· Define the PAT concept of operations and control architecture, including the selection and design of the filters, acquisition scan patterns, and beacon strategies
· Model, simulate, and allocate budgets for key performance parameters such as capture probability, acquisition timelines, residual jitter, and pointing loss to ensure link closure
· Develop a validation strategy for PAT algorithms from simulation to advanced mirror materials
Modem & Electronics
· Define the modem and other electronic systems development plan
· Ensure deterministic latency, fault tolerance, and resilience to radiation and other space environmental effects across all digital interfaces
Systems Engineering & Risk Management
· Author and manage core systems engineering documents, including ICDs, requirements flow-down, and comprehensive verification and validation plans
· Identify technical risks and maintain parallel risk-mitigation paths (e.g., alternative components or materials) to protect project schedule and performance margin
· Lead architecture reviews, present trade studies to stakeholders, and serve as the primary technical authority for the system design
Rapid Prototyping & Iterative Development
· Lead rapid prototyping efforts across hardware, electronics, and software systems to validate design concepts early, establishing agile development processes that balance speed with appropriate fidelity while maintaining rigorous documentation
· Create effective feedback loops between prototype testing results and system design, coordinating cross-functional teams to integrate and test full-scale prototypes that align with system requirements and enable continuous refinement of the architecture
Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience (M.S./Ph.D. preferred)
· End-to-end system design experience in high-throughput optical communications (free-space or fiber)
· Mastery of optical link budget analysis, including pointing loss, atmospheric/diffraction effects, jitter coupling, and capture probability modeling
· Demonstrated experience in designing and analyzing control systems (e.g., filters, scan strategies, beacon processing)
· Familiar with FPGA/ASIC architectures, including SerDes interfaces, deterministic memory/DMA design, and high-speed data path considerations (FEC, framing, synchronization)
· Proven systems engineering rigor in authoring ICDs, decomposing requirements, and developing verification plans for complex spaceflight or aerospace systems
· Experience with radiation-hardened design principles, including SEU mitigation and selection of radiation-tolerant components
· 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
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience with optical systems, particularly with straylight and contamination control considerations
· Familiarity with space hardware development lifecycles and standards (e.g., DO-254, ECSS)
· Experience in designing built-in-test (BIT), telemetry, and fault management systems
· Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation
· Knowledge of coherent and incoherent detection methods or advanced modulation formats
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 System Architect on our optical communications team, you'll be at the forefront of creating next-generation space communication systems that will enable unprecedented connectivity and data transfer capabilities for future space missions and infrastructure.
We're building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you're 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.
2. SENIOR OPTO-MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Role Summary
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.
As a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer at Blue Origin, you will lead the mechanical design for the optical heart of a communications terminal. You will be responsible for a telescope and precision pointing system that must maintain wavefront quality and angular stability in the harsh environment of space. You will own the physical system from concept and material selection through final assembly and validation.
The Mission
You will design and build the precision opto-mechanical systems at the core of a next-generation optical communications terminal. Your work will involve making critical design trades, managing key suppliers, and closing tolerance budgets to ensure the system achieves its unprecedented performance goals.
Special Mentions
· Relocation assistance is available for this position
· Travel expectations: 10-15% travel may be required for vendor visits, design reviews, and test campaigns
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership
· Lead the mechanical design of the telescope structure, incorporating precision alignment features, kinematic mounts, and athermal design principles
· Develop and close comprehensive tolerance budgets for Wavefront Error (WFE) and alignment stability, informed by STOP analysis
· Engineer robust solutions for straylight and ghost suppression, including baffle design, scatter control strategies, and optical coating specifications
· Author and manage contamination control plans and cleanliness procedures
· Ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, assembly, and alignment (DFMA), defining all necessary tooling and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
· Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers on the team
Materials & Vendor Management
· Lead the development path and trade studies for mirror materials, evaluating CTE stability, specific stiffness, polishability, surface finish, and thermal performance
· Draft detailed Statements of Work (SOWs) for vendors, defining technical requirements and acceptance test criteria for optical components
· Manage vendor relationships, conduct design reviews, and analyze manufacturing and test data to ensure compliance
· Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers in the optical manufacturing industry
Structural-Thermal Integration
· Collaborate closely with the STOP analyst to define stiffness targets that mitigate jitter and gravity release effects
· Integrate thermal control hardware (thermal straps, heaters, radiators) and cable management solutions compatible with precision gimbal motion
· Perform hand calculations and preliminary FEA to rapidly validate design concepts and inform detailed analysis cycles
· Lead cross-functional technical reviews to ensure integrated system performance
Verification & Assembly/Integration/Test (AI&T) Support
· Plan and oversee environmental qualification tests, including thermal cycling, dimensional stability, and vibration testing
· Provide hands-on support for optical alignment, system integration, and metrology activities in the lab
· Refine designs based on straylight test data and validate the effectiveness of contamination control procedures during assembly
· Develop and document lessons learned to improve future designs
Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience (M.S./Ph.D. preferred)
· Demonstrated experience in designing telescopes or similar precision optical instruments for space or aerospace applications
· Proven expertise in straylight analysis, contamination control, baffle design, and coating selection for sensitive optical systems
· Hands-on experience with advanced mirror materials, including an understanding of their fabrication, polishing, and testing methods
· Experience integrating mechanical designs with structural, thermal, and optical performance analyses
· Proficiency in a major CAD package (e.g., PTC Creo, Siemens NX) for detailed mechanical design
· Experience leading technical teams and mentoring junior engineers
· Track record of successful delivery of complex opto-mechanical systems for demanding applications
· 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
Preferred Qualifications
· Direct experience using STOP analysis to drive mechanical design decisions
· Experience with space environmental testing (thermal cycling, vibration, TVAC) and test-model correlation
· Design or integration experience with precision pointing mechanisms or gimbals for space
· Knowledge of athermalization techniques for optical systems
· Experience developing and executing optical alignment procedures using interferometry and other metrology tools
· Previous experience with optical communications systems or laser-based instruments
· Experience with systems engineering practices and requirements flow-down
· Publication record or patents in relevant technical areas
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 your contributions to our optical communications systems will be vital in establishing the infrastructure needed for a spacefaring civilization. You'll work alongside world-class engineers and scientists who are passionate about expanding humanity's reach beyond Earth. Join us in our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth.
We're building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you're 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.
.
3. STRUCTURAL & THERMAL ENGINEER
Role Summary
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business
unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in
spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.
As a Structural & Thermal Engineer focused on
STOP analysis, you will serve as the analytical backbone, ensuring our optical
systems achieve peak performance from launch through on-orbit operations. You
will own the integrated Structural, Thermal, and Optical Performance (STOP)
analysis, and your models will directly guide critical opto-mechanical design
decisions.
The Mission
You will be the engineer who answers the critical
question: "Will this system meet its optical performance requirements in
space?" Through high-fidelity modeling, simulation, and rigorous
uncertainty quantification, your analyses will provide the foundation of
confidence that our designs are robust against the challenges of launch and the
space environment.
Special Mentions
·
Relocation assistance
may be available for this position
·
Travel expectations: Occasional travel may be required
for test campaigns and design reviews
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Integrated STOP Analysis
·
Perform coupled STOP analysis by integrating your structural and
thermal predictions with the optical design model (via ray-tracing
or sensitivity matrices)
·
Derive, allocate,
and close optical performance budgets (e.g., alignment, WFE) in collaboration
with optical and mechanical engineers
·
Bound system sensitivities to environmental and structural
inputs (temperature gradients, launch loads) and propose effective design
mitigations
Structural Modeling & Jitter Analysis
·
Build and maintain
high-fidelity Finite Element (FEA) models to analyze modal response, random
vibration (PSD), shock, and quasi-static loads
·
Analyze and mitigate the effects of gravity release and mount
preloads on optical alignment and surface figure
·
Quantify structural stiffness and jitter transfer functions to
ensure fine-pointing stability and performance
Thermal Modeling & Control
·
Develop detailed thermal models to simulate radiation,
conduction, and active thermal control systems (heaters, straps, radiators)
·
Manage thermal dissipation and ensure optical stability across
all operational and survival modes, including eclipse transitions and slews
·
Translate thermoelastic distortions from your models into
quantified impacts on optical performance, such as focus shifts and alignment
drift
Model Validation & Test Correlation
·
Define a comprehensive model validation plan, specifying
instrumentation requirements (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gauges) for
environmental testing
·
Correlate analytical models with thermal-vacuum (TVAC) and
vibration test data, iterating as needed to improve predictive accuracy
·
Develop and present the definitive evidence package for system
feasibility, including model pedigree, uncertainty analysis, and sensitivity
studies
Minimum Qualifications
·
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,
Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience
(M.S./Ph.D. preferred)
·
Expertise in FEA for precision space
structures, with proven experience in modal/dynamic analysis, random vibration,
and thermoelastic distortion
·
Deep understanding of passive and active thermal control systems
and analysis for space applications
·
Strong skills in uncertainty quantification, including
probabilistic analysis, Monte Carlo methods, and sensitivity studies
·
Proficiency with relevant analysis software
(FEA: Nastran, Ansys, or Abaqus; Thermal: Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or
similar)
·
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
Preferred Qualifications
·
Mastery of coupling structural/thermal models with optical
design tools (Zemax, Code V, or
similar)
·
Experience with the unique challenges of telescopes, complex
optics, or gimbaled systems
·
Background in designing low-jitter structures, including the use
of isolation systems or damping
·
Experience with test correlation, including pre-test analysis
and post-test model updates for TVAC or vibration campaigns
·
Proficiency in a scripting language (Python,
MATLAB) for data analysis, process automation, and parametric studies
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 your expertise
in structural and thermal engineering will be crucial to developing the robust
optical systems needed for next-generation space communications and
infrastructure. You'll work
alongside world-class engineers and scientists who are passionate about solving
complex technical challenges to expand humanity's reach beyond Earth.
We're building a
diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect
checklists. If you're 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. .