Senior Photonics Engineer

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 Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

This role supports Blue National Security, which is pioneering the development, manufacturing, and operation of Blue Ring— a groundbreaking space-mobility platform that unlocks unparalleled access to any orbit and the freedom to maneuver between orbits at will. With Blue Ring, our customers are empowered to go anywhere in cislunar or Earth orbit domains, redefine mission flexibility, and pursue bold new concepts that were once beyond reach. If you’re energized by the idea of working with a platform capable of enabling missions without compromise, this is your moment to make history with us.

As a Senior Photonics Engineer, you lead optical architecture for Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) terminals supporting a classified beyond LEO mission.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer who has designed and shipped complex Optical products in fast-moving environments and wants to apply that experience to hardware operating at orbital scale, operating within a highly classified program with direct national security impact. 

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design & Development
  • Design, develop, and validate fiber optic and photonic-based avionics systems, including optical communication links, and laser-based systems
  • Lead the architecture and integration of photonic components into Blue Ring's avionics suite, ensuring compliance with mission performance and environmental requirements
  • Design space-grade photonic subsystems tolerant of radiation, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments
• Analysis & Verification
  • Perform optical and photonic system modeling, link budget analysis, and performance trade studies
  • Conduct environmental and reliability analysis (radiation effects, thermal, mechanical) on photonic components
  • Develop and execute test plans for photonic hardware qualification and acceptance testing
  • Support FMEA/FMECA and fault tree analysis for photonic avionics subsystems
• Integration & Collaboration
  • Work cross-functionally with navigation, GNC, RF/communications, structures, and systems engineering teams
  • Interface with suppliers and vendors to select and qualify photonic components for spaceflight
  • Support CDR, PDR, and other milestone reviews with technical documentation and presentations
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team technical growth
• Standards & Documentation
  • Author and maintain engineering documentation including design specifications, ICDs, test procedures, and verification reports
  • Ensure designs comply with applicable NASA, MIL-STD, and Blue Origin standards

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or related technical field
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in photonics or electro-optical systems engineering
• Demonstrated experience with fiber optic components, laser systems, photodetectors, or integrated photonic circuits
• Experience designing systems for aerospace or spaceflight environments (vibration, thermal, radiation)
• Proficiency with optical simulation tools (e.g., Zemax, COMSOL, OptiSystem, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with requirements development, verification & validation, and configuration management
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident required
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with classified national security space programs (SDA, NRO, SSC, or equivalent)
• 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with coherent optical communication systems and associated photonics
• Familiarity with CCSDS optical link standards and DoD interoperability requirements for Beyond LEO/GEO communication architectures
• Experience with radiation effects on electronics (SEE, TID, displacement damage) and mitigation techniques.
• Experience designing photonics for space, aviation, or other high-reliability thermal-vacuum environments.
• Background in production hardware including DFM/DFT practices, supply chain coordination, and yield optimization.
• Hands-on environmental qualification testing (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC).

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90

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, 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

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.