Laser Communications Systems Engineer III

Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

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.

We are seeking a Laser Communications Systems Engineer (Level 3) to have overall payload systems engineering ownership and play a crucial role in system‑level testing, integration, and on‑orbit operations of the payload.

• Maintain ownership of internal and external interfaces and technical budgets, including mass, power, and other critical parameters.
• Support requirements management and flow down in a fast‑pace and iterative design environment.
• Manage design trade‑offs across the system to support objectives for Design for Excellence in performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Support verification and validation activities from planning through execution to confirm system functionality, performance, and requirements compliance.
• Support on‑orbit operations to ensure payload effectiveness and mission success.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in systems engineering roles supporting complex systems involving optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware.
• Experience with Electro‑Optical payload development.
• Systems Engineering experience encompassing requirements development and management, interface control, and ownership of technical budgets, such as mass and power.
• Proficiency in payload‑level verification and validation methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

• 8 years of experience in engineering roles supporting complex systems (e.g., optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware), with at least 5 years in lead engineer roles.
• Hands‑on experience supporting payload integration, test, and operations, preferably with spacecraft systems.
• Background in optical communications (lasercom) systems.
• Experience managing link budgets, pointing error budgets, and optical loss budgets.
• Direct experience leading payload test campaigns for Electro‑Optical systems.
• Current Top Secret or TS/SCI Security clearance, or eligibility to obtain a Top Secret or TS/SCI Security clearance.
• Master’s or PhD degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

Compensation Range for:

• CA applicants is $‑$; CO applicants is $‑$; WA applicants is $‑$.
• Other site ranges may differ.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

• Required for all positions:
  Blue’s Standard Background Check.
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:
  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation.
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:
  Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of…