Senior Technical Project Manager - Optical Payload Systems

Senior Manager Of Optical Payload Systems

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!

This role is part of TeraWave, 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.

As part of a dynamic team of program managers, you will be accountable for agile delivery of highly complex projects within the TeraWave portfolio. Working with cross-functional engineering teams and the Program Management Office (PMO), you will facilitate collaboration across the program to build a detailed understanding of technical requirements, dependencies, and implementation strategies. You will coordinate tracking of technical progress, budget utilization, iterative delivery schedules, and risk mitigation. This position directly drives the ability to deliver program objectives through adaptive planning and servant leadership, requiring a strong attention to detail and commitment with a blend of technical, business, and organizational acumen. The position falls within the PMO team assigned to report directly to the Director of Optical Communications.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provide oversight and management responsibility (including performance management & reporting) for a portfolio of small to medium size projects in support of organizational goals and strategic objectives
• Lead others and direct all phases of assigned cross-organizational or business unit complex projects
• Identify key stakeholder project-specific objectives and requirements
• Mentor others and take responsibility for the accuracy of work through review

Technical & Business Integration

• Develop advanced solutions to complex problems requiring regular use of ingenuity, creativity, and innovation
• Use advanced technical judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation for obtaining results with the ability to trade off low, medium, and high-performance measures
• Identify lessons learned to incorporate into future project plans
• Balance technical requirements with business objectives and resource constraints

Stakeholder Collaboration & Relationship Building

• Develop relationships within and outside the team
• Regularly collaborate with key contacts outside own area of expertise to develop solutions that are reviewed by senior program and technical leaders
• Support peer and design/project reviews throughout the Business Unit
• Build and nurture relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Facilitate collaborative decision-making across organizational boundaries

Process Development & Improvement

• Lead development and process improvement efforts
• Demonstrate ability to collect and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information from multiple stakeholders
• Translate data into project requirements, scoping and planning documents
• Build ready-for-use and fit-for-purpose tools and processes

Value Delivery & Risk Management

• Drive continuous value delivery through iterative development cycles
• Implement adaptive planning techniques to respond to changing requirements and priorities
• Remove impediments to team progress through servant leadership
• Maintain a transparent risk register with clear ownership and mitigation strategies

Financial Stewardship & Negotiation

• Demonstrate advanced negotiating and project acceptance skills
• Lead financial performance of program-level accounts with an incremental funding approach
• Implement value-based prioritization for resource allocation
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure alignment between funding and delivery priorities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, engineering or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in program management in the aerospace industry
• Advanced professional expertise in the practical application of Project Management discipline through the development cycle
• Experience working on Aerospace Development Programs and/or Space Systems
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in complex technical environments
• Strong facilitation skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate between technical and business contexts

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance
• Experience with satellite communications systems or optical communications technologies
• Agile certification (CSM, SAFe, PMI-ACP) or equivalent practical experience
• Experience with data-driven decision making and metrics-based program management
• Background in systems engineering or technical product development
• Experience with distributed team collaboration and remote work coordination
• Track record of successful stakeholder management in complex programs
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies

Why Blue Origin:

At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Senior Manager of Optical Payload Systems, you will play a crucial role in developing revolutionary communication technologies that will expand humanity's presence in space. You'll work with world-class teams on challenging problems, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and contribute to missions that will shape the future of space exploration and utilization.

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20 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.
• 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