Senior System Architect – Optical Communications - TeraWave

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 Tera Wave, a 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.

The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with Tera Wave, 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 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

As the Senior System Architect for our next-generation optical communications program, you will define the end-to-end technical vision for a system designed to set new standards in space-based connectivity. You will own the architecture of a high-performance Optical Communications system, translating ambitious mission objectives into a resilient, high-performance system ready for the space environment.

You will be responsible for architecting large aperture optical communications terminals. Your decisions will balance link margin, pointing precision, optical performance, and manufacturing cost under challenging constraints. The architecture and trades you lead will form the technical foundation of the program, enabling the team to achieve critical design and performance milestones.

• This position may include relocation assistance
• Travel expectations:
  Up to 15% travel to supplier facilities, test sites, and other Blue Origin locations

• Establish the end-to-end mission architecture, including wavelength selection, link geometry, autonomy and redundancy strategies, and initial allocations for size, weight, power, and thermal (SWaP‑T)
• Drive system-level trades for the terminal's aperture, converging on an optimal balance of link margin, pointing accuracy, throughput, structural stiffness, and thermal management
• Flow down performance budgets to all subsystems (Optics, PAT, Modem, Electronics) with rigorous Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and calibration strategies
• Integrate Structural‑Thermal‑Optical Performance (STOP) analysis into system budgets and define clear acceptance criteria for hardware verification and vendor Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Support operations and manufacturing teams for high‑volume production

• Define the PAT concept of operations and control architecture, including the selection and design of the filters, acquisition scan patterns, and beacon strategies
• Model, simulate, and allocate budgets for key performance parameters such as capture probability, acquisition timelines, residual jitter, and pointing loss to ensure link closure
• Develop a validation strategy for PAT algorithms from simulation to advanced mirror materials

• Define the modem and other electronic systems development plan
• Ensure deterministic latency, fault tolerance, and resilience to radiation and other space environmental effects across all digital interfaces

• Author and manage core systems engineering documents, including ICDs, requirements flow‑down, and comprehensive verification and validation plans
• Identify technical risks and maintain parallel risk‑mitigation paths (e.g., alternative components or materials) to protect project schedule and performance margin
• Lead architecture reviews, present trade studies to stakeholders, and serve as the primary technical…