Electrical Engineer, RF Payloads - Terawave Hardware

Front Door Defense; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Options for regular employees

Paid Time Off

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks an Electrical Engineer to lead RF payload hardware development for the Terawave satellite network in Seattle. You will bridge high-speed digital logic with phased array RF systems to enable a global 6 Tbps network.

The role requires hands-on testing, design of HDI PCBs, and experience with high-speed instrumentation to ensure EMI-free operation across space-grade hardware. A strong aerospace hardware background is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in complex hardware product development (telecom hardware, 5G base stations, or aerospace electronics).
• Proficiency in EDA tools with experience handling schematic capture and layout for high-speed, multi-layer boards.
• Hands-on experience using high-speed scopes, spectrum analyzers, and VNAs for hardware debug.
• Proven track record supporting hardware lifecycle from concept to field operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of multi-layer, HDI PCB design with strict isolation for high-speed signals.
• Design power systems (PoE, DC-DC converters, PMICs) for high dynamic current during beamforming.
• Perform simulations to minimize noise, crosstalk, and EMI across the system.
• Lead physical bring-up, hardware debugging, and lab testing of system boards.

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Master's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

Electrical Engineer, RF Payloads - Terawave

Lead hardware development of RF payloads for the Terawave satellite system

Location: Seattle, Washington

Compensation: $107,136 - 149,990 USD / year

About The Role

Electrical Engineer

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.

Job Overview

We are seeking an electrical engineer to help develop the RF payload hardware for our revolutionary TeraWave satellite communications network. This role will be instrumental in establishing electrical engineering excellence for our hardware systems, supporting a next-generation constellation designed to deliver an aggregate global network capacity of up to 6 Tbps. You will act as the critical engineering bridge, integrating complex high-speed digital logic with advanced phased array antenna systems.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop multi-layer, high-density interconnect (HDI) PCB design, ensuring strict isolation between high-speed digital lines and sensitive microwave routing.
• Design highly efficient power systems (PoE, DC-DC converters, PMICs) capable of handling the high dynamic current swings required during beamforming operations.
• Perform simulation and analysis to minimize noise, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) across the entire system.
• Lead the physical bring-up, hardware debugging, and functional lab testing of the system-level boards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in complex hardware product development (e.g., telecom hardware, 5G base stations, or aerospace electronics).
• Proficiency in EDA tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro) with direct experience handling schematic capture and layout guidelines for high-speed, multi-layer mixed-signal boards.
• Hands-on experience using high-speed scopes, spectrum analyzers, and vector network analyzers (VNAs) for hardware debug.
• Proven track record of supporting hardware through the entire lifecycle, from initial concept and design through integration, testing, and field operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or a related technical field.
• Familiarity with satellite communication protocols (LEO/GEO systems) or commercial high-speed wireless infrastructure (5G sub-6GHz/mmWave, Wi-Fi 6E/7).
• Direct experience collaborating with antenna or RF specialists to co-design and optimize the physical interface between PCBs and radiating elements (e.g., rigid-flex PCBs, board-to-board RF connectors).
• Experience designing hardware architecture around high-performance Xilinx/AMD Zynq SoCs, Altera/Intel FPGAs, or high-speed ARM processors.
• Proven track record of designing for and successfully passing regulatory compliance testing (FCC Part 15/25, CE, ETSI) for intentional radiators.
• Knowledge of thermal management strategies for high-power density boards and design practices for outdoor, weather-proof environments (IP67+ ratings).

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $107,136.00 - $149,990.40

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, 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 Aff…? Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.