Optical Simulation Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (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!

As a member of the TeraWave integrated system modelling team, you will play a foundational role in the development of an integrated mission simulation model that captures the full-system behavior of the TeraWave satellite constellation. TeraWave is a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations. The integrated mission simulation model you help build will serve as a critical program-wide tool used to analyze, optimize, and validate constellation performance from early design through deployment and operations.

As a Mission Simulation Engineer III, you will take a lead role in implementing and continuously improving an integrated simulation framework spanning orbital mechanics, spacecraft power modeling, payload beam assignments, traffic routing, and payload utilization. You will collaborate closely with fleet management, mission operations, payload, power, network, and GNC engineering teams to ensure each simulation domain accurately reflects flight system behavior. A key focus of this role will be developing analysis and optimization capabilities to extract maximum performance and coverage value from the constellation while minimizing system cost, as well as modeling constellation deployment phases and build-up timelines that inform program planning and architecture decisions. The simulation scope spans both RF and optical link domains, including inter-satellite links and ground-to-space links, requiring candidates to be comfortable reasoning across both link types. Successful candidates will bring deep technical expertise in astrodynamics and spacecraft systems engineering, paired with strong software development skills to build scalable, high-fidelity simulation environments. A preferred candidate will have experience working across satellite bus and payload disciplines with a demonstrated ability to integrate physics-based and performance-based models into a coherent, maintainable simulation framework that directly informs constellation design decisions.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Take a lead role in implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the TeraWave integrated mission simulation model within the integrated systems modelling team.
• Develop and maintain high-fidelity orbital mechanics models including orbit propagation, constellation geometry, station-keeping maneuvers, and coverage analysis.
• Develop and apply orbit optimization methodologies to maximize coverage, capacity, and payload utilization while minimizing constellation system cost and operational complexity.
• Build and integrate beam assignment and payload scheduling models that reflect realistic antenna patterns, coverage footprints, and link performance constraints across both RF and optical link domains.
• Develop simulation capabilities for both inter-satellite links (ISL) and ground-to-space links, spanning RF and optical link types, including link budget and availability modeling.
• Develop traffic routing and load utilization models that simulate end-to-end data flow across the constellation under realistic and stressing demand scenarios.
• Develop and maintain spacecraft power models capturing solar array generation, battery cycling, and power consumption across all operational modes.
• Model constellation deployment phases and build-up timelines to support program planning, architecture trades, and early operations analysis.
• Collaborate with fleet management, mission operations, payload, power, network, and GNC engineering teams to ensure simulation inputs and fidelity levels are consistent with subsystem designs and interface definitions.
• Engage with the GNC team to ensure orbital mechanics modeling assumptions, attitude control constraints, and maneuver planning are accurately reflected within the integrated simulation framework.
• Partner with systems engineering teams to define and validate constellation-level performance requirements through simulation-based analysis.
• Define and support simulation verification and validation approaches, including benchmarking against analytical models, heritage data, and in-orbit telemetry as it becomes available.
• Develop workflows and tooling to support parametric trade studies and sensitivity analyses that directly inform constellation architecture and design decisions.
• Partner with business and product teams to translate simulation outputs - including coverage availability, capacity margins, and service continuity metrics - into inputs that drive revenue modeling and define viable commercial service tiers and offerings.
• Communicate simulation methodology, assumptions, and results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through written reports, presentations, and data visualizations.
• Maintain simulation software infrastructure including version control, documentation, and regression testing frameworks.
• Lead root cause investigations when simulation predictions deviate from test or on-orbit data, and drive model updates accordingly.
• Contribute to team growth through supporting hiring efforts, identifying capability gaps, and mentoring junior simulation and systems engineers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a master's degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, applied mathematics, or equivalent technical field.
• 5+ years of related experience (including graduate work) in spacecraft systems engineering, mission analysis, or constellation simulation, with demonstrated hands-on expertise in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Proficiency in simulation development and scripting tools such as Python, MATLAB, or C++, with experience building and maintaining complex multi-physics or multi-domain models.
• Experience developing or integrating simulation models spanning at least two of the following domains: orbital mechanics, RF or optical link performance, spacecraft power systems, or network traffic modeling.
• Familiarity with satellite link budget analysis, beam coverage modeling, and payload performance metrics across RF and optical communications links.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft power system fundamentals including solar array performance, battery modeling, and power mode management.
• Ability to read and interpret interface control documents, systems requirements documents, and engineering specifications across multiple disciplines.
• Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful candidates in this role typically have 10+ years in spacecraft mission analysis, constellation systems engineering, or integrated simulation development for non-spacecraft systems of similar complexity.
• Experience with orbit optimization methods and their application to large-scale constellation design, including coverage optimization, phasing strategies, and cost-driven architecture trades.
• Working knowledge of satellite network routing architectures including inter-satellite links (ISL), ground station connectivity, and traffic management protocols.
• Familiarity with optimization techniques or scheduling algorithms applied to satellite resource management, beam assignment, or constellation operations.
• Experience modeling constellation deployment sequences, launch campaign planning, and incremental capability build-up.
• Background in LEO or MEO large-scale constellation design, deployment sequencing, or on-orbit operations.
• Leadership or management experience as well as a history of mentoring junior engineers.
• Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, or a closely related field with a thesis topic relevant to astrodynamics, mission analysis, or satellite systems simulation.
• Strong safety demeanor and experience working within rigorous engineering processes.
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

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.