Communications Systems Engineer III - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Seattle seeks a Communication Systems Responsible Engineer within the spacecraft Avionics team to lead the integration of the communications subsystem for in-space architectures. You will guide trade studies, analyses, and interface definitions that impact lunar lander designs.

The role emphasizes safety artifacts, V&V planning, and mentorship of early career engineers to advance the Lunar Permanence program and Blue Moon initiatives.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years in communications or RF testing.
• Experience delivering spacecraft communications systems.
• Knowledge of RF components and modulation schemes.
• Experience with space environments and space qualification.
• Ability to derive design from incomplete specs.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop communication system design for in-space architectures.
• Allocate and decompose higher level functions and requirements to the Communications Subsystems.
• Support system and lower-level requirements management, including change control, audits, and coordination with other teams.
• Develop and maintain analyses and simulations for Communications Subsystem including: link analysis, signal distortion, system capacity, coverage analysis and performance.
• Develop subsystem verification and validation activity definitions including verification methods and criteria.
• Coordinate with Integration & Test teams to ensure test facilities have the required capabilities per requirements definition.
• Track V&V activities to successful completion, including reviewing subsystem test plans and possible travel to test facilities when needed.
• Support in the definition of vehicle-level interfaces between systems and elements that interact with internal components.
• Support in the authoring of safety artifacts, including functional hazard assessments and hazard mitigations.
• Mentor early career systems engineers.

Skills

RF testing

Spacecraft comms

Systems engineering

Digital modulation

Communication skills

Education

BS in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

STK

MATLAB

Python

SpaceWire

HDLC

Job 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!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, 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 specialists, technicians, and engineers (use as appropriate), you will work as a Communication Systems Responsible Engineer within the spacecraft Avionics team, focusing on the integration of the communications subsystem. You will lead multi-functional trade studies, run integrated analyses, and define interfaces that impact the design and integration of the spacecraft.

We are a team with varied strengths of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are committed to a culture of safety. This position directly impacts the history of space exploration and requires dedication and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. As a step towards this vision, Blue Origin is building the next generation of lunar landers.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop Communication system design for one or more in-space architectures.
• Allocate and decompose higher level functions and requirements to the Communications Subsystems. Support the alignment, documentation, and consistent implementation of Lunar Permanence System engineering practices across applicable projects.
• Support system and lower-level requirements management, including change control, audits, and coordination with other teams.
• Support the development and creation of ConOps. Develop, track, and maintain analyses and simulations for Communications Subsystem including: link analysis, signal distortion, system capacity, coverage analysis and performance.
• Develop subsystem verification and validation activity definitions including verification methods, expectations, and compliance criteria.
• Coordinate with Integration & Test teams to ensure test facilities (including integration labs) have the required capabilities per requirements definition.
• Track V&V activities to successful completion, which may include reviewing subsystem test plans and possible travel to test facilities when needed.
• Support in the definition of vehicle-level interfaces between systems and elements that interact with internal components.
• Support in the authoring of safety artifacts, including functional hazard assessments and hazard mitigations.
• Mentor early career systems engineers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related technical area
• 5+ years of experience in communication systems or RF testing Working knowledge of major RF components used in a communication subsystem (SSPA, LNAs, Transceivers, waveguides, antennas, filters, etc.)
• Strong Communication fundamentals including understanding of digital modulation schemes including various types of QPSK modulation (OQPSK, UQPSK, spread spectrum approaches, etc.), FEC encoding like Reed Solomon and LDCP codes, and the relationship between information rates and RF requirements
• Experience delivering communications systems for spacecraft applications including experience addressing radiation effects, hardware/software integration, thermal management, etc.
• Experience integrating communication systems into larger systems, including definition of management and data interfaces using protocols like RS-422, Ethernet, SpaceWire, HDLC, etc.
• Experience developing static and dynamic RF simulations (link budgets, coverage analyses, line of site simulation, etc.) with tools like HFSS, STK, MATLAB, and/or Python.
• Working knowledge of space environments and the process to space qualify a communication flight unit
• Ability to work from incomplete specifications to drive to completion. Proven ability to interpret and apply high-level system requirements to practical design solutions for a complex physical assembly
• In depth knowledge of systems engineering practices (e.g., requirements development; standard verification methods; functional decomposition; standard diagramming techniques; risk and opportunity management
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of satellite communication systems, and familiarity with all phases of an RF's product life