Blue Origin · 3 days ago
Lead Optical Systems Engineer
Reston, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$134K/yr - $203K/yr
8+ years expBlue Origin is focused on developing reusable and low-cost space vehicles and systems for the benefit of Earth. As a Lead Optical Systems Engineer, you will shape the future of laser communication systems, overseeing their comprehensive development from prototyping to production while ensuring technical rigor and operational success.
AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
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 single-mode fiber coupling efficiency
Experience with adaptive optics systems, wavefront sensing, and wavefront correction techniques
Experience with focal plane arrays and camera systems
Familiarity with fiber optic coupling challenges and solutions
Previous experience collaborating with cross-functional teams
Preferred
PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
15+ years of experience in optical systems engineering with progressive leadership responsibility
Previous work with space-to-ground and ground-to-space optical communications satellite links
Proven track record as a lead engineer on similar programs
Experience with atmospheric optical turbulence theory and compensation
Proven expertise in atmospheric optics and hands-on experience implementing adaptive optics (AO) control systems to correct for turbulence
Experience taking a complete laser communication system from lab to field, including link performance analysis and hardware validation
Background in optical amplifier technologies (EDFA, EYDFA, Raman, etc.)
Strong background in coherent optical communications principles
Experience with optical metrology and testing of complex systems
Familiarity with Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) standards and algorithms for satellite optical communications
Program management experience for large optical system development
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
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Company
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an aerospace company that focuses on lowering the cost of spaceflight and helping to explore the solar system.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$185.35MKey Investors
NASAUnited States Space Force
2024-02-20Secondary Market
2024-01-24Undisclosed· $18M
2021-12-03Grant· $130M
Leadership Team
David Limp
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Collins
Vice President Supply Chain
Recent News
The Orlando Sentinel
2026-01-05
IEEE Spectrum
2026-01-03
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