RF Engineer III, Antennas - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Washington; On-site; USD 131,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Education support program

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced RF Antenna Engineer to lead the design, development, testing, and qualification of spacecraft antennas for Lunar missions. You will work with cross-functional teams to define antenna product requirements and ensure performance across multiple RF bands from UHF to Ka, contributing to safe, reliable spaceflight programs.

The role reports to the Lunar Antenna Vertical Integration team and requires hands-on prototyping, modeling, and a strong track record in

Qualifications

• B.S. in electrical engineering, physics, or related areas of study.
• 5+ years of experience in antenna design, RF systems, analysis, modeling, and optimization of spacecraft communications assemblies.
• Hands-on experience in the development, prototyping, and testing of antennas and complex RF components for aerospace applications.
• Proficiency in fundamentals of RF communication system development - system design and analysis, free-space transmission principles, and experience in RF system modeling and simulation.
• Experience working across multiple frequency bands such as UHF, L, S, X, and Ka.
• In-depth knowledge of antenna design modeling and communication theory (e.g., gain control, beam forming, antenna polarization, multi-path interference, multipactor).
• Ability to challenge status-quo, break down issues to their fundamental elements, and drive efficient product solutions with emphasis on long term goals and product sustainability
• Excellent verbal communication skills to influence a variety of direct and indirect stakeholders
• Strong technical background or technical writing experience
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and manage the plan for the design, development, test, and qualification of antennas and their associated components for spacecraft communications
• Work with Lunar Electrical Systems Group, and other product teams to identify needs for antenna product definitions that meet communications requirements
• Serve as subject matter on your assigned antenna system
• Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of the development efforts
• Relentlessly look for opportunities to increase performance, enable new capabilities and bolder missions, reduce cost, and reduce cycle time/production time

Skills

Antenna design

RF systems

Modeling & simulation

Cross-team collaboration

Verbal communication

Education

B.S. in electrical engineering or physics

Tools

ANSYS HFSS

FEKO

GRASP

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. 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 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 design, manufacturing, and testing of the antennas for Blue Origin’s lunar spacecraft.

You will be part of a team responsible for development of these antennas from early concepts to product prototypes to initial flight units.

In this role, you will leverage your understanding of RF engineering, antenna parameter optimization, microstrip, aperture, wire and parabolic antenna types and their manufacture.

You and the team will develop custom antennas that will enhance our target radio performance by taking advantage of physical aspects of the materials as well as designing to meet challenging environmental and test requirements.

This position will report into the Lunar Antenna Vertical Integration team that is responsible for spacecraft antenna design, development, test, and qualification.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight.

Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, execute, and manage the plan for the design, development, test, and qualification of antennas and their associated components for spacecraft communications
• Work with Lunar Electrical Systems Group, and other product teams to identify needs for antenna product definitions that meet communications requirements
• Serve as subject matter on your assigned antenna system
• Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of the development efforts
• Relentlessly look for opportunities to increase performance, enable new capabilities and bolder missions, reduce cost, and reduce cycle time/production time

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in electrical engineering, physics, or related areas of study
• 5+ years of experience in antenna design, RF systems, analysis, modeling, and optimization of spacecraft communications assemblies
• Hands-on experience in the development, prototyping, and testing of antennas and complex RF components for aerospace applications
• Proficiency in fundamentals of RF communication system development - system design and analysis, free-space transmission principles, and experience in RF system modeling and simulation
• Experience working across multiple frequency bands such as UHF, L, S, X, and Ka
• In-depth knowledge of antenna design modeling and communication theory (e.g., gain control, beam forming, antenna polarization, multi-path interference, multipactor)
• Ability to challenge status-quo, break down issues to their fundamental elements, and drive efficient product solutions with emphasis on long term goals and product sustainability
• Excellent verbal communication skills to influence a variety of direct and indirect stakeholders
• Strong technical background or technical writing experience
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering with focus on high-frequency RF system design and optimization
• Knowledge of antenna design modeling systems (e.g., ANSYS HFSS, FEKO, GRASP)
• Experience in building and testing conformal microstrip, parabolic, horn, and wire antennas

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70 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. 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

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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.

Thank you for your interest in working at 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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