Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
About the RoleThe Senior Director, Optical Communications Terminals leads the multidisciplinary engineering organization responsible for the architecture, development, qualification, production, and deployment of TeraWave optical communications terminals. This leader owns end-to-end technical and execution performance across optical, opto-mechanical, electro-optical, electronics, firmware, software, controls, systems engineering, test, and supplier engineering disciplines.
This role reports to the VP, Payloads and Terminals and partners closely with spacecraft, ground systems, mission operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.
ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership- Own the technical architecture and product definition for TeraWave optical communications terminals
- Drive architecture decisions across all engineering disciplines and establish system-level performance, reliability, scalability, and manufacturability objectives
- Define and control interfaces between the optical terminal, spacecraft, ground infrastructure, and network
- Lead resolution of complex technical issues and cross-disciplinary tradeoffs
- Maintain the technical roadmap for future terminal generations
Program Execution- Own engineering execution from concept through development, qualification, production, and deployment
- Establish clear technical milestones, identify critical-path activities, and surface schedule risks early
- Ensure technical risks have clear owners, mitigation plans, and escalation paths
- Drive disciplined design reviews, verification, validation, and qualification activities
- Partner with program management to establish realistic commitments and maintain execution accountability
Organizational Leadership- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization of engineering managers, senior technical leaders, and individual contributors
- Build an effective leadership structure with clear ownership and decision rights
- Establish engineering standards, processes, and operating mechanisms that provide timely visibility into organizational health
- Build a culture of technical rigor, accountability, early risk identification, and constructive escalation
- Recruit and retain exceptional engineering talent
Cross-Functional Leadership- Partner with spacecraft, ground systems, manufacturing, supply chain, mission operations, and network engineering to ensure effective integration and producible designs
- Represent optical terminal engineering in senior leadership and program reviews
- Resolve cross-organizational issues at the appropriate level
Supplier and Industrialization Leadership- Establish technical relationships with strategic optical, photonic, electronic, mechanical, and semiconductor suppliers
- Define supplier technical performance requirements and qualification criteria
- Partner with manufacturing engineering to transition development designs into repeatable production processes
- Drive design-for-manufacturing, design-for-test, and design-for-reliability practices
QualificationsMinimum- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or related technical field
- 12+ years of engineering experience, with substantial experience leading complex multidisciplinary engineering organizations
- Experience developing sophisticated electro-optical, optical communications, aerospace, semiconductor, or similarly complex products
- Demonstrated ability to take products from architecture through development, qualification, production, and deployment
- Strong record of recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent
- Experience with suppliers, manufacturing, qualification, and production environments
Preferred- Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Experience with optical and laser systems.
- Experience in space systems or high-reliability communications products
Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $317,388.00 - $444,342.15
Other site ranges may differCulture StatementDon'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.
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.
- Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
- 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.
