Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, 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 withTeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6Tbpsanywhere 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 is seeking an exceptional Engineer to provide technical leadership in opto-mechanical design for ourTeraWaveconstellation. In this role, you will focus on developing critical optical systems including telescopes and gimbal assemblies whileprovidingtechnical guidance on avionics enclosures and optical ground stations.
Special Mentions:
Relocationassistanceis available for qualified candidates.
Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may berequiredfor integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead the architectural design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals
- Define and own mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
- Drive design trades for gimbal configurations balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime
- Lead mechanism qualification programs including component-level and system-level testing inshock,vibration, thermal vacuum environments
- Develop and maintain mechanism design standards, analysis workflows, and documentation to supportincremental hardware build and test.
- Provide technical guidance to engineering teams on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface control
- Mentor junior and mid-level mechanical engineers in mechanisms design principles, analysis methods, and space qualification practices
- Support production transition through design-for-manufacturability improvements, tolerance analysis, and supplier development
Examples of additional areas where you may contribute include:
- Motor and encoder selection for precision drive systems
- Bearing selection, preload analysis, and lubrication strategies for space mechanisms
- Mechanism-level FMEA and reliability analysis
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field
- 8+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space or aerospace applications
- Demonstrated experience designing, analyzing, manufacturing, and qualifying gimbal assemblies or multi-axis pointing mechanisms for space environments
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g.,Creo, NX, SolidWorks) and finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN,Comsol)
- Experience with mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
- Knowledge of space qualification testing including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and lifetesting
- Experience with bearing systems,drivetrains, and precision actuators for space mechanisms
- Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
- Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- Experience with optical communications terminals orlasercompointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems
- Background in fast steering mirror systems and fine pointing mechanism design
- Experience with lubrication and tribology for space mechanisms (e.g., dry film, ionic liquid, oil-impregnated)
- Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows
- Experience transitioning precision mechanisms from development to high-rate production
- Experience with statistical process control and production data analysis for mechanism performance verification
Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55
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.
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.
