Lidar and Camera Development Engineer - Lunar Avionics

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team, the Lidar and Camera Development Engineer will be a member of the Optical Systems group within Lunar Avionics, working within a tightly knit group that is developing advanced lidar and camera 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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Collaborate in the development of lidar- and vision-based optical sensor hardware for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) of crewed and uncrewed lander systems
• Coordinate, and contribute to, multi-disciplinary design of lidar and other complex systems incorporating lasers, optics, optomechanical elements, electronics, and FPGAs
• Support the fabrication and lab testing of prototype hardware
• Contribute to/lead 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
• Guide environmental testing (shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.) and flight tests to validate top-level system specifications and requirements and establish sensor performance specifications
• Support design risk analyses, failure modes effects and criticality analyses (FMECA), design for test/manufacture/cost (DFx), and root-cause analysis of test discrepancies
• 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

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Imaging Science or related area of study
• 5+ years working with lidar, laser systems, image sensors, vision-based guidance systems, or related areas
• Experience in the development, prototyping, testing, calibration, and verification of lidar/optical imaging or guidance systems for aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications
• Knowledge of receiver systems and optical detectors
• Understanding of atmospheric propagation, target interaction (speckle, reflectivity, BRDF, etc.), and optical link budgets
• Background working with multidisciplinary optical-based systems involving complex electronics, signal processing, and/or precision opto-mechanical assemblies
• Exposure to product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 7+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of complex opto-electrical systems
• Experience in design and integration of sensors, cameras, or instruments for space vehicles and/or space environments
• Experience with optical system design and simulation using tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, FRED, LightTools, etc.
• Knowledge of signal processing and/or image processing techniques
• Knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with analog, digital or mixed-signal circuit design, including analysis, simulation, test, troubleshooting, and part selection
• Knowledge of signal integrity, power, grounding, and general board layout principles
• Knowledge of radiation effects on electronics and how to apply this to designs targeting space applications

Join us in creating the Road to Space!

• Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70
• Other site ranges may differ
• Culture Statement

Additional information

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.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.