Optical Test Manager

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! 

Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based connectivity with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

Job Description

This role is part of TeraWave, Blue Origin's satellite communications network. TeraWave optical payloads include the Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) terminals that carry data across the constellation. These terminals must meet tight pointing, jitter, and optical performance requirements on orbit, and they must be built and tested at constellation scale.

As Optical Test Manager, you will lead the development test team in Development Labs. Development owns test engineering and test definition, and this team builds the v0 test stations that Ops can use as delivered or adapt for the production flow at Hutto. You will own the development test architecture, the v0 stations, the qualification test plans, and the data that shows new designs meet their requirements before release to production. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will manage people, and you will also be expected to understand PAT, jitter, wavefront, and environmental test well enough to make good calls on test strategy, station design, and priorities.

This position requires on-site work at Redmond, WA, with occasional travel to Hutto, TX to support station handoff.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage the team of test engineers, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, performance evaluation, and career development.

• Own development test architecture and test definition for TeraWave optical payloads, from component and subsystem test through terminal-level assembly and verification.

• Lead development of automated v0 test stations integrating wavefront sensing, imaging, reflectometry, and in-house electronics and software, and hand them off to Ops with the documentation and requirements traceability needed to adapt them for production.

• Define and execute qualification test plans for new components and design changes: test flows, data processing and review, cross-functional approvals, and release to production.

• Lead PAT performance and jitter test, including space-simulation and disturbance-rejection testing to characterize residual jitter under simulated on-orbit conditions.

• Own environmental and thermal screening strategy, including powered thermal cycling and TVAC test development, with a focus on screening strength and cycle time.

• Plan development test capacity across benches and stations so qualification and design-change testing stays ahead of program need; identify constraints early and resolve them.

• Design test methods and requirements with testability and production transfer in mind, and support Ops when production adapts development stations or methods.

• Work with design, PAT, Ops, and program leadership to align test strategy and qualification priorities with program objectives.

• Scope, assign, and track work across the team so each team member has a clear, prioritized workload and milestones are met.

• Drive a culture of safety and rigor in the lab, including laser safety, configuration management of test systems, and traceable test data.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in optical or electro-optical test, integration, or qualification of precision hardware.

• 2+ years of experience leading engineering teams, including hiring and directing the work of engineers, either as a people manager or as the technical lead accountable for a team's delivery.

• Experience developing automated optical test stations, including instrument control, data processing, and transfer to production.

• Experience planning and executing qualification test campaigns, including test plans, data review, and release to production.

• Experience with environmental test of optical hardware, such as thermal cycling, TVAC, or vibration.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to align test strategy with senior technical and program leadership.

• 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

• Master's degree or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience with free-space laser communication terminals or inter-satellite links.

• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, fast steering mirrors, and jitter characterization.

• Experience transferring development test stations or methods to a production team.

• Experience with wavefront sensing, interferometry, and optical metrology.

• Experience using test data to drive supplier corrective actions.

• Familiarity with laser safety program requirements (ANSI Z136) and cleanroom and contamination control standards.

• Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in using automation or AI tools to improve test productivity.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $188,453.00 - $263,833.50

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.