Senior System Architect - Optical Communications - TeraWave
Listed on 2026-02-27
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Engineering
Systems Engineer, Electrical Engineering
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 ahigh-performance
Optical Communications system, translating ambitious missionobjectivesinto a resilient, high-performance system ready for the space environment.
You willbe responsible forarchitectinglarge aperture optical communications terminals. Your decisions will balance link margin, pointing precision,optical performance, and manufacturing costunder 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.
Special Mentions:
This position may include relocation assistance
Travel expectations:
Up to 15% travel to supplier facilities, test sites, and other Blue Origin locations
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Architecture & System Trades
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 onan 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
Pointing, Acquisition & Tracking (PAT)
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, andallocatebudgets 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
Modem & Electronics
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
Systems Engineering & Risk Management
Author and manage core systems engineering documents, including ICDs, requirements flow-down, and comprehensive verification and validation plans
Identify technical risks andmaintainparallel 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 authority for the system design
Rapid Prototyping & Iterative Development
Lead rapid prototyping efforts across hardware, electronics, and software systems tovalidatedesign concepts early,establishing agile development processes that balance speed with appropriate fidelitywhilemaintainingrigorous documentation
Create effective feedback loops between prototype testing results and system design, coordinating cross-functional teams to integrate and test full-scale prototypes that align with system requirements and enable continuous refinement of the architecture
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience (M.S./Ph.D. preferred)
End-to-end system design experience in high-throughput optical communications (free-space or fiber)
Mastery of…
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