Lidar Optical Engineer

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the Lunar Transportation business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s multiple Blue Moon lander product lines.

To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse spacecraft development engineers, you will lead the design of an optical telescope and assembly for use in navigation lidars on a variety of spacecraft and missions.

You will participate in the full design life cycle of navigation lidar sensor development, analysis, testing, verification / validation, and flight.

You will work closely with the guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) team to seamlessly integrate the lidar navigation system components with the rest of the GN&C.

Your contributions will enable flight of state-of-the-art lunar landers and missions.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe spaceflight.

Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities :

• Lead the optical design process for a navigation lidar telescope and associated optical assemblies through the entire lifecycle : from conceptual design to deployment.
• Create detailed specifications for electro-optical components, including steering mirrors, fiber positioners, and position-sensitive detectors.
• Optimize optical coating designs for durability and performance in space, including bandpass filters, dichroic, and polarizing beam splitters.
• Create detailed lens prescriptions to satisfy the requirements of the lidar system.
• Establish specifications for optical elements including surface roughness and wavefront performance
• Execute advanced optical analysis leveraging industry-standard software tools for stray light analysis and Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis.
• Perform and guide testing and analyses such as flight test, thermal vacuum test, vibration test, etc. to validate top-level system specifications and requirements, and to establish performance specifications of the sensors

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of optical engineering experience, with a focus on telescopes and electro-optical systems.
• Proficiency in utilizing optical analysis software and understanding of core optical engineering principles for analyses including ray tracing, throughput, stray light, and STOP analysis.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and testing of optical systems.
• Previous involvement in the design and deployment of optical systems for space applications is strongly preferred.
• Practical experience with lidar development that generates range and Doppler measurements.

Desired Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of optical engineering experience, with a focus on telescopes and electro-optical systems.
• Advanced working knowledge of optical system simulations and tolerancing.
• Practical experience with environmental testing and verification of optical components for space.
• Experience with short-wave infrared (SWIR) systems.
• Experience with lidar systems for rendezvous, terrain relative navigation, and hazard relative navigation.
• Familiarity with current trends and technological advances in space optics and lidar systems.
• Working knowledge of NASA human spaceflight standards.

Compensation range for on site CO applicants is $125,400-$175,560

Compensation range for on site WA applicants is $136,800-$191,520

Compensation range for on site CA applicants is $136,800-$191,520

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

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.

Paid Time Off : Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Discretionary bonus : Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members.

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, gender, 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 EEO Is the Law, 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 .

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