Principal Electrical Power Engineer, RF Payloads - TeraWave

Blue Origin; Washington; On-site; USD 183,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) match up to 5%

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks an experienced Electrical Power Engineer to join the TeraWave team in Washington. You will architect, design, analyze, and verify power subsystems for satellite payloads, delivering flight-qualified hardware that meets stringent performance, mass, reliability and environmental requirements.

Reporting to the TeraWave Avionics Senior Manager, you will lead DC-DC design, POL converters, power distribution, and a full suite of analyses (WCA, derating, stability, EMI/DFMEA).

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in electrical power electronics design.
• Experience designing isolated DC-DC converters at the 1 kW / 120 VDC level or higher.
• Experience designing sub-1V point-of-load converters for high-performance digital systems.
• Direct experience designing power electronics for satellite or space hardware applications.
• Proficiency in performing and documenting the full suite of required power electronics analyses, including WCA, derating, stability, power dissipation, transient response, reliability, DFMEA, DFT, DFM, and EMI/C.
• Experience with circuit simulation tools (LTspice, SIMetrix, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with applicable space and defense standards (e.g., NASA EEE-INST-002).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and qualification of isolated DC-DC power conversion systems up to 1 kW in the 120 VDC range.
• Design and characterize sub-1V POL power conversion circuits with tight regulation for digital payloads/FPGA.
• Develop and maintain power system architectures for satellite applications.
• Execute and document design verification analyses (WCA, derating, stability, power dissipation, transient, reliability, DFMEA, DFT, DFM, EMI/C).
• Support PCB layout reviews and ensure power integrity and thermal management.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, systems, optics, and RF teams to integrate hardware.
• Develop and support hardware bring-up, qualification and production test procedures.
• Lead design reviews and present analysis results to stakeholders.
• Maintain compliance with Blue Origin standards and space industry standards.

Skills

Power electronics design

Satellite power systems

DFMEA/DFT/DFM

LTspice

Circuit simulation

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cadence Allegro

Altium Designer

Job description

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Power Engineer to join the TeraWave team at Blue Origin. In this role, you will be responsible for the architecture, design, analysis, and verification of electrical power subsystems for satellite payloads. You will work within a multidisciplinary engineering team to develop robust, flight-qualified power electronics hardware that meets the demanding performance, mass, reliability, and environmental requirements of a space-based constellation. This position reports directly to the TeraWave Avionics Senior Manager and will directly contribute to the design and delivery of flight hardware.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Lead the design, development, and qualification of isolated DC-DC power conversion systems at power levels up to 1 kW operating in the 120 VDC range, with emphasis on efficiency, mass optimization, and thermal performance
• Design and characterize sub-1V, high-current point-of-load (POL) power conversion circuits with tight voltage regulation tolerances required for advanced digital payloads and FPGAs
• Develop and maintain power system architectures including input filtering, power sequencing, in-rush limiting, fault protection, and distribution networks suitable for satellite applications
• Execute and document a full suite of design verification analyses, including:
  • Worst Case Analysis (WCA)
  • Component Derating Analysis per applicable standards (e.g., NASA EEE-INST-002)
  • Control Loop Stability Analysis (gain/phase margin, Bode plots, simulation)
  • Power Dissipation and Thermal Analysis
  • Transient Response Analysis
  • Reliability Analysis (MTBF, parts count, FIT rates)
  • Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
  • Design for Test (DFT)
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
  • EMI/EMC Analysis and mitigation per applicable standards (e.g., MIL-STD-461)
• Support PCB layout reviews to ensure design intent is captured, including proper power plane management, component placement, and conducted thermal relief strategies
• Work closely with mechanical, thermal, systems, optics, and RF engineering teams to ensure power electronics hardware is integrated successfully into the satellite platform
• Develop and support hardware bring-up, characterization, qualification and full production test plans and procedures
• Lead design reviews and present analysis results to peers and external stakeholders
• Maintain compliance with Blue Origin engineering standards and applicable space industry standards

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related engineering discipline
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in electrical power electronics design
• Demonstrated experience designing isolated DC-DC power converters at the 1 kW / 120 VDC level or higher
• Demonstrated experience designing sub-1V point-of-load converters with tight regulation tolerances for high-performance digital systems
• Direct experience designing power electronics for satellite or space hardware applications
• Proficiency in performing and documenting the full suite of required power electronics analyses, including WCA, derating, stability, power dissipation, transient response, reliability, DFMEA, DFT, DFM, and EMI/C
• Experience with circuit simulation tools (e.g., SPICE-based tools such as LTspice, SIMetrix, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with applicable space and defense standards (e.g., NASA EEE-INST-002 standards)

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in power electronics or power systems
• Experience with high-efficiency converter design
• Experience with rad-tolerant component selection and qualification for LEO environments
• Familiarity with space-grade component standards
• Experience with control loop compensation design and digital control implementations
• Proficiency in PCB design tools (e.g., Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer) and experience performing or directing layout of high-density power boards
• Experience with applying thermal conduction techniques to support power dissipation and meet derated component temperatures
• Knowledge of EMI filter design and shielding techniques for compliance with MIL-STD-461
• Experience with EEE parts screening and qualification processes for spaceflight applications
• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems and engineering change control processes
• Prior experience working in a fast‑pace, hardware‑focused new‑space or aerospace startup environment

Base Pay Range for:

• CA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• WA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• 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

• 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.

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 Affinity Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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Blue Origin

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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