Camera and Lidar Optical Development Engineer - Lunar Avionics

Application close date:

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! 

As part of a hardworking team, the Camera and Lidar Optical Development Engineer will be a member of the Optical Systems group within Lunar Avionics, working within a tightly knit group that is developing cameras (IR and visible spectrum) and lidar 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 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.

• Collaborate in the development of vision and lidar optical sensor hardware for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) of crewed and uncrewed lander systems
• Design of imaging optics for both visible and long wave infrared (LWIR) systems, including image quality analysis, tolerance analysis, and stray-light analysis
• Support the fabrication and lab testing of prototype hardware 
• Assist with procurement, vendor coordination, delivery, acceptance, installation, verification, validation, qualification, and certification of component hardware 
• Support the development and execution of component-level test programs, including sensor characterization and calibration, sensor performance modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing 
• Assist with environmental testing (shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.) and flight tests to validate top-level system specifications and requirements and establish sensor performance specifications 
• Participate in program level technology development, mission assurance and safety initiatives, and avionics development process improvements
• Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management

• B.S. in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Imaging Science or related area of study 
• 2+ years of related experience with cameras, image sensors, and/or other optical sensing systems
• Experience in the development, prototyping, testing, and/or calibration of cameras, lidar, or other optical imaging/sensing systems for aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications 
• Knowledge of optical imaging system components (lenses, lasers, sensors, sensor and image processing electronics, etc.) and their characterization 
• Experience with optical system design and simulation using tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, FRED, LightTools, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  
• Ability to reach across discipline boundaries to solve integration issues spanning hardware, firmware, and controls
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the electronic assembly product lifecycle
• 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.

• M.S. or higher degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• 3+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of opto-electrical systems
• Development of cameras, lidar, or other sensors for space applications and space environments 
• Knowledge and experience with optical navigation systems, such as measurements from star trackers, and optical sensors
• Knowledge of image processing techniques 
• Knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or other programming language
• Ability to understand and interface with analog, digital or mixed-signal circuit design
• Work with precision opto-mechanical assemblies 
• Exposure to radiation effects on electronics and how to apply this to designs targeting space applications

Join us in creating the Road to Space and establishing a lunar presence!

Compensation Range for:

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.