Title: Sr. Systems Engineer – Laser Communications - TeraWave

Location: Los Angeles, CA | Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R55804

Description:

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! 

This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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 $156,802.00 - $219,522.45WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

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.

Export Control Regulations

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.

Background Check

• 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 hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.