Optical Lab Manager Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

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!
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 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.
This role is part of TeraWave, Blue Origin's Payloads organization, developing the optical and RF communication systems and sensors that give our vehicles their eyes and their voice: Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL), RF payload and RF ground systems. As a hardworking team of diverse engineers and technicians, we build, test, and qualify hardware that has to work the first time, every time, once it leaves the ground.
As Sr. Lab Manager, you will lead the engineers and technicians responsible for the labs that support development of these payload systems. This is a hands-on technical leadership role: you will manage people, but you will also be expected to understand the optical and electrical work happening on your benches well enough to make good calls on lab design, equipment, and priorities. A core part of this role is building out new lab capability from the ground up, including labs with the specialized environmental, contamination control, and alignment requirements unique to optical systems.
This position requires on-site work at Redmond, WA once our lab space is secured.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage the team of lab engineers and technicians supporting OISL, RF payload, RF ground, and Star Tracker development, including recruiting, hiring, mentoring, performance evaluation, and career development.
• Lead the design, build-out, and commissioning of new lab space from the ground up, including facility layout, utilities, and environmental controls appropriate to optical and electrical test equipment.
• Define and enforce the unique requirements of an optical lab: contamination control, vibration isolation, thermal stability, laser safety, and cleanliness standards, alongside standard electrical lab practices.
• Coordinate with payload subsystem leads (OISL, RF payload, RF ground, Star Tracker) to understand test and integration needs and prioritize lab resources and schedule accordingly.
• Oversee procurement of lab equipment, tools, and test hardware; coordinate facility upgrades and maintenance; ensure calibrated equipment remains in an active calibrated state.
• Drive a culture of safety in the lab, including laser safety, electrical safety, and proper training for all personnel and visitors.
• Develop and maintain lab procedures, configuration management practices, and documentation to support repeatable, traceable test operations.
• Scope, assign, and track technical work across the team, ensuring each team member has a clear, prioritized workload and that milestones are met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve lab-level issues, engaging hands-on where needed to unblock the team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline, with 6+ years of hands-on lab experience; or equivalent hands-on experience without a degree.
• 5+ years of people management experience, with responsibility for the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, daily management, career development, performance management, and terminations. (Lead, team lead, or supervisor roles without this formal authority do not satisfy this requirement.)
• Experience in optical and electrical lab environments, with a working understanding of the unique requirements of optical labs (contamination control, vibration and thermal sensitivity, alignment, laser safety).
• Demonstrated experience standing up a lab from the ground up, including equipment selection, facility layout, and commissioning.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret optical and electrical schematics, and to perform hands-on troubleshooting at the component and system level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work across engineering disciplines and represent the team to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting development of free-space optical communications, RF payload, RF ground, or star tracker/attitude sensing systems.
• Experience in a flight hardware or aerospace test environment.
• Familiarity with laser safety program requirements (ANSI Z136) and cleanroom/contamination control standards.
• Familiarity with Atlassian/Jira or similar tools for task planning and tracking.
• Experience with configuration management of lab-based test and data collection systems.
• Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in using automation or AI tools to improve lab productivity.

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $229,787.00 - $321,701.10
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, 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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.