Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. As a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer at Blue Origin, you will lead the mechanical design for the optical heart of a communications terminal. You will be responsible for a telescope and precision pointing system that must maintain wavefront quality and angular stability in the harsh environment of space. You will own the physical system from concept and material selection through final assembly and validation.**Responsibilities include but are not limited to:** * Lead the development path and trade studies for mirror materials, evaluating CTE stability, specific stiffness, polishability, surface finish, and thermal performance* Manage vendor relationships, conduct design reviews, and analyze manufacturing and test data to ensure compliance* Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers in the optical manufacturing industry**Structural-Thermal Integration*** Collaborate closely with the STOP analyst to define stiffness targets that mitigate jitter and gravity release effects* Integrate thermal control hardware (thermal straps, heaters, radiators) and cable management solutions compatible with precision gimbal motion* Perform hand calculations and preliminary FEA to rapidly validate design concepts and inform detailed analysis cycles* Lead cross-functional technical reviews to ensure integrated system performance**Verification & Assembly/Integration/Test (AI&T) Support*** Plan and oversee environmental qualification tests, including thermal cycling, dimensional stability, and vibration testing* Provide hands-on support for optical alignment, system integration, and metrology activities in the lab* Refine designs based on straylight test data and validate the effectiveness of contamination control procedures during assembly* Develop and document lessons learned to improve future designs**Minimum Qualifications:*** Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience (M.S./Ph.D. preferred)* Demonstrated experience in designing telescopes or similar precision optical instruments for space or aerospace applications* Proven expertise in straylight analysis, contamination control, baffle design, and coating selection for sensitive optical systems* Hands-on experience with advanced mirror materials, including an understanding of their fabrication, polishing, and testing methods* Experience integrating mechanical designs with structural, thermal, and optical performance analyses* Proficiency in a major CAD package (e.g., PTC Creo, Siemens NX) for detailed mechanical design* Experience leading technical teams and mentoring junior engineers* Track record of successful delivery of complex opto-mechanical systems for demanding applicationsDraft detailed Statements of Work (SOWs) for vendors, defining technical requirements and acceptance test criteria for optical components **Preferred Qualifications:*** Direct experience using STOP analysis to drive mechanical design decisions* Proficiency in SigFit , ANSYS Thermal Desktop, and Zemax OpticStudio* Experience with space environmental testing (thermal cycling, vibration, TVAC) and test-model correlation* Design or integration experience with precision pointing mechanisms or gimbals for space* Knowledge of athermalization techniques for optical systems* Experience developing and executing optical alignment procedures using interferometry and other metrology tools* Previous experience with optical communications systems or laser-based instruments* Experience with systems engineering practices and requirements flow-down* Publication record or patents in relevant technical areas* 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 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.Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space. #J-18808-Ljbffr Blue Origin LLC