Lead Optical Systems Engineer

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

Company Overview: 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.

Role: 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.

• 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

• 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 Con Ops, 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

• 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

• 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…