Senior System Architect – Optical Communications - TeraWave

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 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. 

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 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 

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, 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 

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 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 authority for the system design 

Rapid Prototyping & Iterative Development 

• Lead rapid prototyping efforts across hardware, electronics, and software systems to validate design concepts early, establishing agile development processes that balance speed with appropriate fidelity while maintaining rigorous 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 optical link budget analysis, including pointing loss, atmospheric/diffraction effects, jitter coupling, and capture probability modeling 

• Demonstrated experience in designing and analyzing control systems (e.g., filters, scan strategies, beacon processing) 

• Familiar with FPGA/ASIC architectures, including SerDes interfaces, deterministic memory/DMA design, and high-speed data path considerations (FEC, framing, synchronization) 

• Proven systems engineering rigor in authoring ICDs, decomposing requirements, and developing verification plans for complex spaceflight or aerospace systems 

• Experience with radiation-tolerant design principles, including SEU mitigation and selection of radiation-tolerant components 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with optical systems, particularly with straylight and contamination control considerations 

• Familiarity with space hardware development lifecycles and standards (e.g., DO-254, ECSS) 

• Experience in designing built-in-test (BIT), telemetry, and fault management systems 

• Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation 

• Knowledge of coherent and incoherent detection methods or advanced modulation formats