Senior Optomechanical Engineer - Lunar Avionics Verified today
About the role
Join the Optical Systems group within Lunar Avionics as a Senior Optomechanical Engineer. You will develop advanced lidar and camera systems for Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander product lines, working on optical sensors for rendezvous, navigation, proximity operations, docking, and crewed applications. Your work spans the full lifecycle from early concept through product prototype to qualified flight hardware.
What you will do
- Own the optomechanical design of optical systems involving complex mounting and alignment of lenses, lasers, sensors, and other optical elements
- Collaborate on lidar and vision-based optical sensor hardware for guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) of crewed and uncrewed lander systems
- Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents
- Generate 3D CAD models, assemblies, part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and technical documentation
- Perform assembly and lab testing of prototypes, including design and build of test and assembly fixtures
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary design and field testing of complex systems combining optics, optomechanical elements, lasers, and electronics
- Lead procurement, vendor coordination, delivery, acceptance, installation, verification, validation, qualification, and certification of component hardware
- Guide environmental testing (shock, vibration, thermal vacuum) and flight tests to validate system specifications
- Participate in mission assurance, safety initiatives, and avionics development process improvements
- Communicate development status, risks, and challenges effectively
- Contribute as a member of a cross-disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment
What you need
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years designing optomechanical assemblies and mechanisms for lidar, laser systems, image sensors, vision-based guidance systems, robotics, or related areas
- Experience developing, prototyping, testing, calibrating, and verifying lidar/optical imaging or guidance systems for aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications
- Experience with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analysis
- Strong expertise with 3D CAD modeling programs and FEA tools
- Demonstrated ability to communicate design concepts and analysis results effectively
- Ability to bridge discipline boundaries to solve integration issues spanning optics, electronics, thermal and vibration challenges, and manufacturing
- Hands-on capability, both independently and as part of a team, throughout development and production phases
- Prior contribution to product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of collaboration
- U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as refugee or granted asylum
Desired qualifications
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optics, or equivalent
- 9+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of complex optomechanical systems
- Mechanical design and integration of sensors, cameras, or instruments for space vehicles and space environments
- Recent versions of Creo, Windchill, and Ansys
- Sigmadyne SigFit software and STOP analysis
- Expertise with multidisciplinary optical-based systems and teams involving precision opto-mechanical assemblies
- Environmental testing experience including vibration, shock, and thermal cycling
- Bonding and bonded joint analysis
- Aerospace industry standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Marks', Shigley, Steinberg, Roark's)
- Optical system design and simulation using Zemax OpticStudio or Code V
- Optics standards for drawings and tolerances per ANSI/OEOSC ISO 10110
Compensation and location
Base pay range: Colorado $144,179.00 - $201,849.90; Washington $156,802.00 - $219,522.45. Other site ranges may differ. Relocation assistance provided.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, education support program, stock options for regular employees (20+ hours/week), up to four weeks paid time off annually, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.