Senior Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer- TeraWave

Employer description

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 sits within the TeraWave Spacecraft Bus team. We are seeking a Senior Spacecraft Solar Array Engineer to serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for the solar array — the primary power generation system for the vehicle. You will own the full product lifecycle from early concept through prototyping, qualification, and production release at constellation scale. The solar array spans electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and manufacturing domains, and integrates directly with the spacecraft structure, harness, and Electrical Power Subsystem — making this one of the most cross-functional and technically demanding RE roles on the program.

This is a senior technical leadership role. You will drive requirements, lead design reviews, coordinate across disciplines, and serve as the subject matter expert from the design floor through vehicle integration. TeraWave’s production rate of thousands of units means your decisions directly impact cost, schedule, and yield.

Responsibilities:

Own the full design and development of space-grade photovoltaic assemblies from concept through flight-qualified, production-ready hardwareDerive and maintain solar array requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specifications in coordination with systems engineering and adjacent subsystems including EPS, thermal, structures, harness, and manufacturingLead design trade studies for solar array architecture, cell selection, panel construction, and high-voltage bus compatibility; document results and drive decisionsCharacterize solar array electrical and optical performance across illumination angles, temperature ranges, and space environment conditions including radiation, UV, and thermal cyclingLead internal design reviews and participate in supplier and customer reviews; champion design for test, manufacture, and cost (DFx) principles throughout developmentDefine and support component-level and system-level test programs including characterization, risk reduction, qualification, and integrated vehicle-level testingServe as the subject matter expert for solar array integration into the vehicle; lead troubleshooting and anomaly resolution during integration and acceptance testingCommunicate development status, risks, and challenges clearly and regularly to program leadership and stakeholdersCollaborate with manufacturing operations and supply chain to ensure smooth transition to production and support ongoing rate manufacturingOwn and maintain the complete solar array design package — drawings, BOMs, specifications, and analysis reports — within the configuration management system

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field5 or more years of direct hands-on experience in solar panel or photovoltaic assembly development, with at least 3 years in space applicationsDemonstrated experience designing, specifying, procuring, and testing space-grade solar panels, including photovoltaic cell selection, panel construction, and adhesive systemsFamiliarity with solar panel design standards and test methods such as AIAA S-112, including knowledge of space environment effects on solar panels — vacuum, radiation, UV exposure, and thermal cyclingExperience with high-voltage spacecraft design above 50V, including solar array interface definition and integration with spacecraft power bus architecturesMust be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum — required for access to export-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced graduate degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a related field8 or more years of solar panel development experience, with 5 or more years in space applicationsSubject matter expertise in solar array architecture trade studies, performance characterization, and component selectionExperience leading or substantially contributing to a formal qualification campaign per AIAA S-112 or a directly comparable standardProficiency with engineering design and simulation tools such as Creo, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, or STKExperience with high-voltage or dual-voltage power bus architectures and the associated solar array interface requirementsFamiliarity with I-V curve characterization equipment and solar array simulators for qualification and production acceptance testingExperience collaborating with suppliers and contract manufacturers on DFM/DFA optimization, quality, and production transitionStrong written and verbal technical communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to author specifications, test plans, and analysis reports independently
 Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90 WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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 CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.