Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave

Application close date:

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!

Location:
Los Angeles, CA (Onsite)

Role

Summary:

The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical lead for mechanical design, structural analysis, and line-of-sight (LOS) stability of optical communication systems for space environments. You will own mount and cell design, telescope design with precision alignment, environmental qualification, and volume production ramp-up for Tera Wave's satellite communications payload.

Special Mentions:

• This position requires relocation to Los Angeles, CA
• Travel expectations:
  Up to 10% of travel may be required for technical reviews and test campaigns

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership

• Lead the optomechanical design of precision optical assemblies, subsystems, and payloads for space-qualified laser communication terminals.
• Define mechanical architectures for optical mounts, structures, mechanisms, and interfaces that preserve alignment and optical performance through launch environments (random vibration, shock) and on-orbit thermal cycling.
• Establish datum points, fiducials, build-to tolerances, and align-to tolerances with clear acceptance criteria.
• Generate interface control drawings (ICDs) and production-ready engineering drawings with comprehensive geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) specifications.

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Production Integration

• Embed Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout hardware design to enable reliable, cost-effective production while maintaining optical performance.
• Partner with internal manufacturing, tooling, and ground support equipment (GSE) teams to optimize assembly sequences, reduce part count, and simplify alignment fixtures.
• Support tolerance stack-ups and dimensional metrology planning to ensure designs meet production quality standards.
• Interface with component vendors on manufacturing feasibility, schedule, and technical requirements.

Verification, Qualification, and AI&T Support

• Define alignment strategies, tooling requirements, fixtures, and assembly procedures for precision optical systems.
• Lead or support environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum [TVAC], random vibration, shock) and direct root-cause analysis for structural or mechanical anomalies.
• Execute hands-on optical alignment and integration activities in Class 100/1000 cleanroom environments, providing mechanical expertise to resolve fit-and-function issues.
• Develop contamination control procedures and validate assembly processes to meet cleanliness specifications.

STOP Integration & Optical Performance Optimization

• Work with Optical and Thermal teams to define line-of-sight (LOS) jitter and wavefront error (WFE) budgets. Set mechanical design margins and tolerances that survive launch vibration, thermal cycling, and on-orbit operations.
• Minimize optical performance degradation by optimizing material selection, stiffness, interface design, and mount geometry. Account for thermal expansion, mount compliance, and structural damping across temperature extremes and load conditions.
• Iterate Design Based on Analysis:
  Collaborate with Optical, Thermal, and Structural Engineers to translate predicted optical performance into mechanical design changes and tolerance requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline (MS preferred)
• 10+ years of professional experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space payloadsor comparable high-reliability precision systems
• Hands-on experience designing kinematic mounts and mechanical interfaces for contamination-sensitive optical hardware
• Expert-level proficiency in CAD software (PTC Creo, NX, Solid Works, or equivalent) for complex opto-mechanical assemblies and production drawings
• Strong command of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack analysis, and DFM/DFA principles
• Direct experience planning and executing environmental qualification tests, including thermal-vacuum (TVAC), random vibration, and shock campaigns

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior flight hardware qualification, successful environmental test campaign leadership, or on-orbit anomaly resolution
• Demonstrated experience designing telescopes or similar precision reflective optical…