{"id":3039238,"url":"https://alion.io/job/blue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering","title":"Senior Manager - TeraWave Optical Engineering","company":{"id":3698,"name":"Blue Origin","domain":"blueorigin.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/blueorigin","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":91,"open_postings":262,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.351,"repost_share":0.004,"time_to_fill_p50_days":43,"computed_at":"2026-10-25T05:49:26Z"}},"role":"Semiconductors","role_family":"Semiconductors","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Seattle, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":183807,"max":257328,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":257328},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-08T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-25T07:58:35Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":109,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":109},"description":"Application close date:\nApplications 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!\nBlue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to revolutionize space-based connectivity anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of thousands of optically interconnected satellitestoprovideenterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.\nAs Senior Manager of Optical Engineering, you will lead a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers responsible for designing the telescope and optical assemblies at the heart of the TeraWave OISL payload.The team you leadwill own theopticaldesign from concept throughfirst build andensure a smooth transition to high-volume production. This role demands technicalexpertisein precision optical systems combined with the leadership skills to drive a focused, high-performing team.\nSpecial Mentions\nLocation: Seattle, WA area\n\nRelocationassistanceavailable for qualified candidates\n\nTravel expectations: Up to 15% for supplier visits, integration activities, and internal reviews\n\nResponsibilities include but are not limited to:\nLead and manage a team of optical and opto-mechanical engineers through the full design lifecycle, from concept through EVT and DVT\n\nOwn the technical direction for telescope assemblies and optical light path design for the TeraWave OISL payload\n\nDrive detailed opto-mechanical design and STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance) analysisprocessesto meet performance requirements across the mission environment\n\nLead the NPI process, ensuring designs are well-documented, producible at high volume, and ready for a successful handoff to the production team\n\nManage personnel including hiring, workload planning, performance reviews, and career development\n\nPartner with systems, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure alignment across the program\n\nSupport sustaining engineeringbyproviding design documentation and lessons learned to the production team\n\nIdentifyand manage technical risks, drive design trades, and make clear recommendations to program leadership\n\nMinimum Qualifications:\nBachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field\n\n7+ years of experience in optical system design, with hands-onexpertisein telescope or beam director architectures\n\n3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead on optical hardware programs\n\nExperience with opto-mechanical design and STOP analysis for space or high-reliability environments\n\nStrong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills\n\nMust 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\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nMaster's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline\n\nExperience with 10cm-class telescope design for space or airborne platforms\n\nBackground in lasercom, OISL, or free-space optical communication systems\n\nExperience with NPI processes and design-for-manufacturability in a high-volume optical manufacturing environment\n\nExperience carrying optical hardware through environmental qualification (thermal-vac, vibration, shock)\n\nWhy Blue Origin: At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, GradatimFerociter, meaning \"Step by Step,Ferociously.\" We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Senior Manager of Optical Engineering, you will play a crucial role in developing the precision optical technologies that makeTeraWave'srevolutionary space-based communications network possible.You'llwork with world-class teams on challenging problems, have access tostate-of-the-artfacilities, and contribute to missions that will shape the future of space exploration andutilization.\nBase Pay Range for:\nWA applicants is $183,807.00 - $257,328.75Other site ranges may differ\nCulture Statement\nDon’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.\nExport Control Regulations\nApplicants 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.\nBackground Check\nRequired for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check\n\nRequired 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\n\nRequired 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.\n\nRequired 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\n\nBenefits\nBenefits 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.\n\nStock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)\n\nPaid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.\n\nDependent 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.\n\nEqual Employment Opportunity\nBlue 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.\nAffirmative Action and Disability Accommodation\nApplicants 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 . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9168,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":7,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Parental leave","Stock options"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Launch Services","Space Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-21T22:13:17Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Filed H-1B visas in the last two years","filings_12m":0,"filings_prev_12m":1,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":15,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":0.9,"p_active":0.576,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":109,"expected_fill_days":43,"reasons":["conf:73","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-25T05:49:26Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":257328,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/blue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/blue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-25T09:59:44Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":14374,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-26T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3698},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3698"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fblue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fblue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fblue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/blue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fblue-origin-senior-manager-terawave-optical-engineering"}]}