Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin
life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k)
United States, California, San Francisco
Feb 03, 2026
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. 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 TeraWave'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, SolidWorks, 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 systems for space or aerospace applications Hands-on experience with precision optical alignment tools (autocollimators, laser trackers, interferometers) Proven expertise in structural FEA (ANSYS/Nastran) for modal, random vibration, and shock analysis Proven proficiency in STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) methodology; design of athermalization strategies; modeling thermal effects on optical performance Compensation Range for: CA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 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. 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