Senior Optomechanical Engineer - Lunar Avionics

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

Job Description

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence 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 diverse hardworking team, the Senior Optomechanical Engineer will be a member of the Optical Systems group within Lunar Avionics, working within a tightly knit group that is developing advanced lidar and camera systems across Blue Origin’s Lunar vehicles. You will assist in the development of these optical sensor systems for rendezvous, navigation, proximity operations, and docking, along with manned crew applications, for Blue Origin’s spacecraft. You will participate in the full life cycle of these systems from early concepts to product prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware. This role is deeply interdisciplinary and requires coordination among a diverse group of internal stakeholders, adjacent integrated product teams, and suppliers. Your contributions will enable the flight of state-of-the-art aerospace vehicles and missions.

Special Mentions:

- Relocation assistance provided

Responsibilities:

- Collaborate in the development of lidar- and vision-based optical sensor hardware for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) of crewed and uncrewed lander systems
- Own the optomechanical design of optical systems involving complex mounting and alignment of lenses, lasers, sensors and other optical elements
- Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents
- Create 3D CAD models and assemblies, part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and other required technical documentation
- Perform assembly and lab testing of prototypes, including the design and build of test and assembly fixtures as needed
- Coordinate, and contribute to, multi-disciplinary design and field testing of lidar and other complex systems incorporating optics, optomechanical elements, lasers, and electronics.
- Contribute to / lead procurement, vendor coordination, delivery, acceptance, installation, verification, validation, qualification, and certification of component hardware
- Guide environmental testing (shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.) and flight tests to validate top-level system specifications and requirements
- Participate in mission assurance and safety initiatives, as well as avionics development process improvements
- Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges
- Contribute as a member of a cross-disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment
- Be part of the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical avionics

Qualifications:

- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering or related area of study
- 7+ years working with and designing optomechanical assemblies and/or mechanisms for lidar, laser systems, image sensors, vision-based guidance systems, robotics, or related areas
- Experience in the development, prototyping, testing, calibration, and verification of lidar/optical imaging or guidance systems for aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications
- Experience with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analysis
- Strong expertise with 3D CAD modeling programs and FEA tools
- History of communicating design concepts and analysis results effectively
- Ability to reach across discipline boundaries to solve integration issues spanning optics, electronics, thermal and vibration challenges, and manufacturing
- Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the product lifecycle
- Prior contribution to product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and supply to a culture of collaboration
- 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

Desired:

- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optics or equivalent
- 9+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of complex optomechanical systems
- Experience in mechanical design and integration of sensors, cameras, or instruments for space vehicles and/or space environments
- Experience with recent versions of Creo, Windchill, and Ansys
- Experience with Sigmadyne SigFit software and STOP analysis
- Demonstrated expertise working with multidisciplinary optical-based systems and teams involving precision opto-mechanical assemblies
- Prior experience with environmental testing, including vibration, shock, and thermal cycling
- Experience with bonding and analysis of bonded joints
- Understanding of aerospace industry standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Marks’, Shigley, Steinberg, Roark’s)
- Some background with optical system design and simulation using tools such as Zemax OpticStudio or Code V
- Ability to use optics standards for drawings and tolerances per ANSI/OEOSC ISO 10110

Join us in creating the Road to Space!

Base Pay Range for:
CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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.

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