Cameras and Optical Sensors Hardware Systems Engineer

$125,400 - $175,560/Yr

Blue Origin - Denver, CO

Full-time - Mid Level

Denver, CO

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment, dedication, and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. As part of a hardworking team of diverse, multi-disciplinary engineers, you will assist in the development and/or procurement of cameras and optical sensor systems for navigation, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, and other applications for Blue Origin's spacecraft. You will participate in the full life cycle of these systems from early concepts to product prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware. You will work closely with the guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) team to seamlessly integrate these components with the rest of the GN&C subsystem. This role is deeply interdisciplinary and requires coordination among a diverse group of internal stakeholders, adjacent integrated product teams, and suppliers. Your contributions will enable flight of state-of-the-art aerospace vehicles and missions. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in the development of navigation and sensor hardware requirements from system level specifications with flow downs to subsystem and component levels, and companion verification methods
• Assist in the design of sensor architecture and hardware configuration with design studies and sensor performance trades
• Support the design, fabrication, test and characterization of prototype hardware
• Contribute or lead procurement, vendor coordination, delivery, acceptance, installation, verification, validation, qualification, and certification of component hardware
• Support the development and execution of component-level test programs, including sensor characterization, sensor modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing
• Perform and guide testing and analyses of sensor hardware including laboratory and flight testing, shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, etc. to validate top-level system specifications and requirements, and establish sensor performance specifications
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functional testing, and flight testing
• Support trades on image sensor options, optical configurations, image processing techniques, etc., to guide optimal product specifications
• Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of the development, integration, and test efforts

Requirements

• B.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or related areas of study
• 5+ years of related experience with cameras, image sensors, and/or precision opto-mechanical assemblies
• Demonstrated experience in the development, prototyping, testing, and calibration of cameras or optical imaging systems for aerospace, automotive, medical, or robotics applications
• Knowledge of optical imaging system components (lenses, sensors, sensor and image processing electronics, etc.) and their characterization
• Working knowledge of imaging systems and optical and image quality characterizations (focus/MTF, radiometry and spectral response, distortion/camera models, boresight alignment, etc.)
• Experience with camera and/or optical system modeling and simulation using tools such as ZEMAX, CODE V, LightTools, etc.
• Knowledge of image processing techniques
• Experience in component procurement, integration, and test support
• Demonstrated experience in test and verification of navigation or related sensors
• Experience in product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management
• Experience in MATLAB/Simulink
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice-to-haves

• M.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience in development of cameras, sensors, and instruments for space applications and space environments
• Experience with spacecraft vehicle or satellite system integration and test
• Knowledge and experience with navigation systems that include measurements from IMU, GPS, radar, star trackers, and optical sensors
• Detailed knowledge on EEE part selection for space applications
• Working knowledge of NASA human spaceflight standards
• Experience in leading or supporting technical teams through multiple successful product deliveries

Benefits

• 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%
• 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
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results