Electrical Engineer III - TeraWave

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Spacecraft Bus Avionics hardware engineer to lead digital design and COTS component integration for flight avionics. You will implement FPGA-based digital solutions and collaborate with senior engineers on high-reliability hardware for the TeraWave system.

The role involves end-to-end development support, from requirements through test and qualification, and interaction with customers to shape architectural decisions. A strong emphasis on EMI/EMC and PCB integrity is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 4+ years designing ruggedized electronic components or high-reliability hardware with a focus on digital design.
• Experience with space-rated or high-reliability hardware development (requirements, design, test, or qualification).
• Digital design experience including FPGAs and CMOS sensors.
• PCB design using Altium Designer (multi-layer, impedance-controlled nets, FPGA integration, EMI/EMC practices).
• Experience selecting, qualifying, and integrating COTS components into hardware assemblies.
• U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or eligible for special U.S. status.

Responsibilities

• Act as hardware focal point for digital design and COTS integration across spacecraft bus avionics.
• Support end-to-end product development activities for space-rated components.
• Collaborate as a cross-disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment.
• Support flight and mission-critical avionics design and implementation.
• Work with customers to define requirements and contribute to design architecture.
• Coordinate with electrical engineering on PCB interconnects and signal/power integrity analyses.
• Contribute to design trade studies evaluating COTS components for performance and reliability.
• Assist in design reviews and documentation for hardware builds.

Skills

Digital design

FPGAs

CMOS sensors

Altium PCB design

COTS integration

EMI/EMC mitigation

Python/C++

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

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.

As part of the Spacecraft Bus Avionics team, you will serve as a hardware focal point across spacecraft bus electronics, with a focus on digital design and hardware implementation of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. You will contribute to requirements definition, design, analysis, test, and review of avionics hardware, supporting the TeraWave Satellite system from concept through formal qualification and verification, including integration and flight support activities. This role works under the guidance of senior engineers and technical leads while independently executing assigned design and analysis tasks.

Responsibilities

• Act as a hardware focal point for digital design and COTS component selection/integration across spacecraft bus avionics
• Support end-to-end product development activities for space-rated components, in coordination with senior engineers and technical leads
• Participate as a contributing member of a cross-disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment
• Support the design cycle of flight and mission-critical avionics, with emphasis on digital hardware implementation
• Work with customers and stakeholders to help define requirements and contribute to design architecture
• Collaborate with the electrical engineering team on PCB interconnect systems, and support signal/power integrity analyses for COTS-based digital designs
• Contribute to design trade studies evaluating COTS components for performance, reliability, availability, and obsolescence risk
• Design and implement avionics hardware solutions leveraging COTS components for performance and reliability in harsh environments
• Support creation of mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents
• Plan and execute engineering tests and support data review activities
• Create technical presentations and documentation for assigned subjects
• Support review of assembly instructions and hardware build activities
• Support requirements validation through design, test, analysis, and inspection
• Support Production and Quality Engineering as needed, including dispositioning material defects
• Support management of product design configuration revisions through the product lifecycle
• Collaborate with and provide technical input to junior engineers on shared tasks
• Contribute to design and documentation reviews led by senior team members

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field
• 4+ years of hands-on experience designing ruggedized electronic components or high-reliability hardware, with a focus on digital design and hardware implementation
• Experience contributing to product development activities for space-rated or high-reliability hardware (requirements, design, test, or qualification support)
• Digital design experience, including FPGAs and CMOS sensors
• Hands-on PCB design experience using Altium Designer, including multi-layer stack-ups, impedance-controlled nets, FPGA integration, and foundational EMI/EMC mitigation practices
• Experience selecting, qualifying, and integrating COTS electronic components into hardware assemblies
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field
• Exposure to designing hardware for radiation environments, including EEE parts selection considerations for space applications
• Experience integrating optoelectronic or electromechanical components into flight hardware assemblies
• Familiarity with worst-case circuit analysis, circuit FEA, or FMEA/FMECA practices
• Proficiency with scripting/programming tools such as Python, C, C++, or MATLAB
• Ability to work independently on assigned technical tasks within rapid-development programs and aggressive schedules
• Interest in growing toward broader technical ownership and cross-functional leadership over time

Base Pay Range

For CA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70 CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55 WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70 Other site ranges may differ

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%, 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.

Background Check Required for all positions

Blues 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, 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

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.

Culture Statement

We're committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

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