Blue Origin · 19 hours ago
Senior Manager - Optical Payload Systems
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$151K/yr - $211K/yr
7+ years expBlue Origin is working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. As a Senior Manager of Optical Payload Systems, you will lead a team responsible for the design, development, integration, and production of advanced optical communication payloads for the TeraWave constellation.
National DefenseAerospaceManufacturingRenewable EnergyNational Security
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead and manage a team of engineers focused on optical payload system design, development, production, and maintenance for the TeraWave constellation
Oversee the development of optical payload architectures that enable high-speed, reliable inter-satellite links and ground communications
Drive the technical direction for optical payload systems, ensuring alignment with program requirements, performance targets, and schedule milestones
Manage personnel, including hiring, workload planning, performance evaluations, and mentorship/development of staff
Develop and implement processes at the business unit level to improve efficiency
Coordinate with program management teams to manage plans and schedules related to optical payload design, integration, and testing to ensure correct execution and on-time delivery
Provide engineering support to development and production activities, capturing feedback, offering technical direction, and implementing improvements
Assist in design configuration development and trade studies, offering technical guidance for hardware integration and installation
Identify opportunities for operational cost and schedule improvements while maintaining high quality standards
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems, electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, materials and process, and global supply chain
Maintain the team's good spirit and focus, and drive necessary updates and changes to designs and tools
Support critical path management, planning, execution, and risk management
Apply technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the TeraWave mission
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
7+ years of experience in spacecraft systems, electro-optical systems, or advanced electronics hardware design
5+ years of experience managing engineering teams or as main focal for specific projects
Experience with product lifecycle management systems (e.g., Windchill)
Strong understanding of mechanical and/or electronic product development processes
Background in technology research and development for space applications
Demonstrated project planning and management skills
Experience with configuration management and product lifecycle management
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across systems, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test disciplines
Excellent communication and leadership skills
Preferred
Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Experience with optical communications systems, electro-optical payloads, or related technologies
Experience with spacecraft mechanical systems and high-reliability electronics hardware design
Knowledge of manufacturing execution systems for space hardware production
Experience with environmental testing and qualification of space hardware
Experience with computer-aided design tools such as PTC Creo
Experience with supplier selection and management for critical space hardware components
Knowledge of process development and optimization in a space hardware environment
Eligibility for a DoD Top Secret (TS) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearances
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, Global Supply Chain
Recent News
2026-02-12
2026-02-05
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