Senior Systems Engineer – Laser Communications

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 Senior Systems Engineer - Laser Communications. You will shape the future of laser communication systems from concept through on-orbit 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.

• Own the system architecture through the full lifecycle of a laser communications terminal, including design, development, and deployment phases.
• Engage with specialty engineering teams to interpret and adjudicate technical performance budgets, test results, and resolving technical issues.
• Coordinate end-to-end testing efforts to ensure product reliability and performance.
• Facilitate collaboration among experts in optics, software, hardware, and integration and test engineers.

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in engineering roles supporting complex systems such as optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware.
• Hands‑on experience delivering complex space‑based or terrestrial optical communication terminals or other complex electro‑optical‑mechanical systems.
• Experience in systems engineering or similar roles on communication system development programs, owning items such as end‑to‑end data flows, link budgets, definition of payload hardware architecture, and performing analysis of alternatives.
• Experience synthesizing requirements for subsystems and components as well as negotiating top level requirements with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills for collaboration with government and commercial partners.
• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

• 10 years of experience in engineering roles supporting complex systems (e.g., optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware).
• Experience with on‑orbit payload operations.
• Solid understanding of free‑space optical communications and precise beam‑pointing control.
• Understanding of modem hardware and communications or signal processing theory, such as waveform processing techniques, modulation formats, and common high‑speed communication protocols.
• Current Top Secret or TS/SCI Security clearance.
• Experience overseeing technical teams, with skills in interpreting and managing technical budgets, understanding multi‑disciplinary analysis or test results, and resolving technical issues.
• Ph.D. 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.

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