Blue Origin · 3 days ago
Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Longmont, CO
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$134K/yr - $187K/yr
10+ years expBlue Origin is a company focused on developing reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems. The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will lead the mechanical design, structural analysis, and line-of-sight stability of optical communication systems for space environments, ensuring high performance and reliability in production lines.
AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead mechanical design of sub-assemblies, including telescope mounts/cells, benches, kinematic interfaces, and fiber management systems
Design for maximum stability against dynamic launch loads (random vibration, shock) and on-orbit thermal cycling
Define datum/fiducials, build-to tolerances, and align-to tolerances; generate interface control drawings (ICDs) and production-ready drawings with comprehensive GD&T
Drive DFM and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles into the hardware design from the start to enable reliable, cost-effective production
Interface with internal manufacturing, tooling, and GSE teams to optimize assembly sequences, reduce part count, and simplify fixtures
Support tolerance stack-ups and dimensional metrology planning to ensure designs meet production quality
Perform detailed STOP analysis using Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS/Nastran) to model and predict effects of thermal loads, vibration, and static loads on optical performance (Wavefront Error, MTF, LOS jitter) with Optical Engineer
Own the LOS stability budget; conduct sensitivity studies for mount compliance, CTE mismatch, thermal gradients, and structural damping
Optimize stiffness/mass ratios and modal separation strategies to survive vibe/shock while protecting WFE/MTF performance
Partner with the Thermal & Materials Engineer on athermalization strategies for interfaces
Support environmental test campaigns (TVAC, random vibration, shock) and lead root-cause analysis for any structural or mechanical anomalies
Support hands-on optical alignment and integration in a Class 100/1000 cleanroom, providing mechanical expertise to resolve fit and function issues
Qualification
Required
BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (MS preferred) and 10+ years of professional experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space payloads
Proven expertise in structural FEA (ANSYS/Nastran) for modal, random vibration, and shock analysis
Expert proficiency in CAD (PTC Creo or NX) for complex opto-mechanical assemblies and production drawings
Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM/DFA principles
Hands-on experience with interfaces, kinematic mounts, and contamination-sensitive optical hardware
Preferred
Expertise in STOP analysis and athermalization techniques
Experience with fiber optics, pigtails, and active alignment systems
Prior flight hardware qualification and environmental test campaign leadership
Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 and spaceflight documentation practices
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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