Sr. Photonics Engineer at Blue Origin in Reston, VA

Job description

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, verific