Lead Optical Systems Engineer

Lead Optical Systems Engineer

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. As a Lead Optical Systems Engineer, 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, technical reviews, and customer meetings.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the architectural design and technical direction for ground optical communications systems incorporating telescope and gimbal assemblies, high-power and low-noise optical fiber amplifiers, pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems, adaptive optics systems, and automation software
• Responsible for 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
• Develop system requirements, specifications, and interface control documents that balance performance, cost, and schedule
• Lead optical system modeling, analysis, and performance simulation
• Conduct trade studies between different optical architectures and configurations
• Provide technical oversight for subsystem development and integration
• Troubleshoot complex optical performance issues across subsystems
• Develop ConOps, calibration/alignment procedures and commissioning plans
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and thermal engineers on interdisciplinary design challenges
• Define software requirements for control and performance monitoring of optical subsystems
• Collaborate with software engineering team to develop automation strategies for optical system alignment, calibration, and operational procedures
• Drive safety and regulatory compliance (laser safety, outdoor operations), and coordinate airspace/operations approvals with relevant authorities

Minimum Qualifications: MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field. 8+ years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive leadership responsibility. Demonstrated expertise in free-space optical communication (preferred) or LiDAR 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 sin