Principal Optical Communications Architect

About the role

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 Principal Optical Communications Architect within Blue Origin's National Security Business Unit, you will serve as a senior individual contributor and technical authority within the Advanced Concepts organization, shaping the future of space-based optical communications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for space-based optical communications (lasercomm) architecture within the Blue National Security Business Unit.
• Lead the architectural design and development of free-space optical (FSO) communications systems, conducting comprehensive analysis of alternatives to determine optimal design choices and system configurations.
• Perform detailed trade studies, simulations, and prototyping efforts to verify design approaches and de-risk key technology items across the full system lifecycle — from formulation and development through AI&T and on-orbit operations.
• Define and develop end-to-end optical communications system architectures, including space-to-space (OISL), space-to-ground, and ground-to-space link configurations across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar regimes.
• Develop deep, subsystem-level expertise in optical communications terminal (OCT) design, including pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, optical telescopes, laser sources, and high-rate modems.
• Establish and maintain link budgets, error analyses, and end-to-end performance models to validate system designs and support mission planning.
• Evaluate civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures to inform Blue Origin's strategic positioning and technology roadmap.
• Work closely with internal and external customers to define capabilities needed to meet mission objectives, and support related strategy development, including go-to-market planning for optical communications systems.
• Identify and mitigate "make or break" technical risks through rigorous analysis and validation of flight-like hardware, and evaluate manufacturability and producibility of novel components such as low-cost telescopes and lasercomm terminals.
• Collaborate with program managers, systems engineers, and business development teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling proposals and customer solutions.
• Engage with government customers, program offices, and industry partners to understand mission requirements and shape future optical communications programs.
• Author and review technical documents, white papers, trade studies, and proposals related to optical communications systems.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers across the organization, and represent Blue Origin at technical conferences, industry forums, and government engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in space-based optical communications systems, with demonstrated expertise in lasercomm terminal design and end-to-end system architecture.
• Deep, subsystem-level knowledge of free-space optical (FSO) communications terminal design, including PAT systems, optical apertures, laser sources, and high-rate modems.
• Demonstrated experience defining spacecraft accommodation requirements for optical terminals, including field-of-regard, thermal, structural, and interface constraints.
• Proficiency in optical link budget analysis and end-to-end performance modeling across multiple orbital regimes.
• Experience across multiple lifecycle phases of space systems development, including formulation, prototyping, manufacturing, AI&T, and on-orbit operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct detailed trade studies and risk assessments.
• Familiarity with civil, commercial, and national security optical communications architectures and programs.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Skills

• Deep expertise in free-space optical (FSO) communications — from end-to-end system architecture down to the terminal subsystem level.
• Ability to define, develop, and advocate for next-generation lasercomm capabilities across civil, commercial, and national security domains.
• Experience with payload accommodation strategies and influencing satellite bus designs.
• Familiarity with SDA (Space Development Agency) transport layer optical terminal standards and OISL interoperability requirements.
• Experience with coherent optical communications systems and advanced modulation formats (e.g., DPSK, BPSK).
• Knowledge of atmospheric turbulence effects on ground-to-space optical links and associated mitigation techniques (e.g., adaptive optics, aperture averaging).
• Experience with constellation analysis, optimization, and "systems of systems" architecture development.
• Proven track record contributing to competitive government proposals or business capture efforts.
• Experience presenting at SPIE, AIAA, or equivalent technical conferences on optical communications topics.

Benefits

• 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%.
• 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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).

Pay

For CA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25 CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85 WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25 Other Site Ranges May Differ

Schedule

Not specified