Optical Application Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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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!

We are seeking a Senior Optical Amplifier Engineer to join our Advanced Photonics Systems team. As a key technical leader, you will shape the architecture, design, and execution of high-power fiber laser amplifier development in support of next-generation optical systems. Your leadership will set the standard for our spectral beam combined (SBC) fiber laser architecture, supporting new capabilities across a growing range of aerospace customer missions-from concept through prototype demonstration, ground operations, and on-orbit operations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of high-power, narrow-linewidth fiber amplifiers for spectral beam combining (SBC) and advanced photonics applications.
• Develop proof-of-concept fiber amplifier designs for cutting-edge free-space optical and advanced laser systems.
• Support the design, fabrication, test, and characterization of prototype high-power fiber amplifier hardware.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team on thermal management, optical packaging, beam quality optimization, and automation of high-power fiber amplifier subsystems.
• Interface with Supply Chain to identify and qualify suppliers for specialty optical components (pump diodes, gain fiber, fiber components, end caps, etc.) and support cost optimization.
• Conduct engineering analysis and trade studies across amplifier architectures, power scaling approaches, and make/buy decisions.
• Support vendor outreach and technical evaluation, including engagements with national labs and specialty optics suppliers.
• Communicate technical updates and design decisions to cross-functional teams and program leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in engineering roles supporting complex systems (e.g., high-power lasers, optics, photonics, or aerospace hardware).
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in optics, photonics, and high-power fiber laser development projects.
• Experience in the design and simulation of high-power, narrow-linewidth fiber amplifiers using Ytterbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (YDFA) technology.
• Experience with spectral beam combining (SBC) or coherent beam combining (CBC) architectures for high-power laser applications.
• Knowledge of non-linear optical processes relevant to power scaling, including stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), four-wave mixing, and self-phase modulation, along with mitigation techniques.
• Experience with large-mode-area (LMA) and polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fibers, including fiber handling, splicing considerations, and mode instability mitigation.
• Knowledge of thermal management approaches for kW-class fiber amplifiers.
• Experience with modeling and simulation of optical and fiber laser systems using industry-standard tools such as MATLAB, Mathcad, Zemax, RP Fiber Power, or equivalent.
• Experience with high-power laser systems for aerospace applications.
• MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in engineering roles supporting complex systems (e.g., high-power lasers, optics, electronics, or aerospace hardware).
• Experience in the design and simulation of high-power fiber amplifiers using Erbium-Ytterbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EYDFA) or Tm/Ho-doped fiber amplifier technology.
• Hands-on experience scaling fiber amplifiers to the kW class with a roadmap toward higher power levels.
• Experience with Free-Space Optics (FSO), beam director, and/or adaptive optics systems.
• Previous experience in the aerospace industry.
• Detailed knowledge of part selection, radiation effects, and qualification for space applications.
• Experience leading or supporting technical teams through multiple successful product deliveries.
• Knowledge of and experience with fiber Bragg gratings, volume Bragg gratings, dichroic optics, and diffractive gratings used in SBC architectures.
• Experience collaborating with national labs or specialty optics vendors.
• PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.