Senior Technical Program Manager - Optical Payload Systems

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!

Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with Tera Wave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with Tera Wave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems business unit is building Tera Wave, a satellite communications constellation powered by the most advanced optical communications architecture ever attempted: thousands of optically interconnected satellites delivering symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth, providing enterprise and hyperscale customers with resilient, scalable connectivity for critical operations where terrestrial infrastructure cannot reach.

This is a high-impact role for someone who operates with autonomy, navigates technical complexity, and drives cross-functional alignment in a fast-moving environment.

Special Mentions Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates

Travel: approximately 15–20%
Responsibilities Drive cross-functional coordination and execution across assigned optical payload program areas; maintain detailed schedules, track technical progress, and surface risks with clear ownership and mitigation paths.

Partner with engineering leads and program leadership to maintain roadmaps and aggressive schedules; support end-to-end execution from early development through EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp.

Identify and resolve cross-functional blockers through proactive coordination and servant leadership; escalate complex issues with well-structured recommendations and decision support.

Build and maintain scalable processes, tools, and reporting mechanisms that give teams visibility into progress and enable execution with speed and predictability.

Develop working relationships with engineering, operations, and business stakeholders; facilitate collaborative decision-making and ensure alignment across dependencies.

Translate complex technical challenges into clear program status, risk briefs, and stakeholder communications tailored to the audience.

Build a detailed understanding of payload technical requirements, interfaces, and dependencies to effectively support engineering tradeoffs and program decisions.

Embed customer and mission focus into day-to-day prioritization and decision support.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
7+ years in technical program management or systems/program leadership in hardware or complex product development environments.

Experience managing hardware programs through structured development cycles including EVT, DVT, and PVT.

Experience with agile development methods and hybrid hardware/software program execution.

Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional alignment and execution with limited direction in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

Strong communication skills: able to synthesize technical complexity into clear schedules, risk registers, and decision-ready communications.

Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card…