RF Systems Lead Engineer – Space Radio

BLUE ORIGIN; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) match

Education assistance

Stock options

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a hands-on Radio Systems lead for the Lunar Permanence unit in Reston. You will oversee RF SDR hardware bring-up, characterization, environmental qualification, and production handoff, bridging radio Product and vehicle system engineers to meet tight lunar development schedules.

We value candidates with space hardware test experience, EMI/EMC expertise, Python/Linux skills, and the ability to work across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver robust radio

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in electrical, computer, or aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of RF communications system design for the space environment.
• Minimum 3 years qualifying space hardware for the space environment.
• Minimum 3 years demonstrated aerospace test experience including requirements, plans, procedures, and test equipment.
• Familiarity with digital communication systems, spread spectrum, and modulation types such as PSK, APSK, and QAM.
• Minimum 3 years demonstrated hardware test experience of RF and avionics devices at card/box/system level.
• Working knowledge of EMI/EMC design, grounding, shielding, filtering, and enclosure design.
• Proficient in using lab test equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, generators, meters, oscilloscopes).
• Hands-on, independent and team work across development to production lifecycles.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for RF SDRs from UHF through Ka-Band.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team in vertical integration of SDRs under aggressive schedules.
• Develop and review RF requirements and EMI/EMC test plans and procedures.
• Lead handoff of radio products from development to production.
• Act as the technical bridge between radio product and vehicle system engineers.
• Collaborate with design engineers on RF and avionics hardware verification plans.
• Design, build, and verify custom Automated Test Equipment and RF test benches.
• Coordinate test facility scheduling and resources.
• Lead test readiness, resolve stoppages, and delegate tasks.
• Troubleshoot test anomalies and investigate root causes.
• Generate test records and verification artefacts.
• Interface with internal/external test facilities, labs, and suppliers.

Skills

RF design

Space environment

EMI/EMC testing

Hardware testing

Python

Linux

Test equipment

Education

B.S. in Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Eng or Physics

Tools

Vector network analyzer

Spectrum analyzer

Signal generator

Power meter

Oscilloscope

Electronic loads

Job description

Blue Origin seeks a hands-on Radio Systems lead for the Lunar Permanence unit in Reston. You will oversee RF SDR hardware bring-up, characterization, environmental qualification, and production handoff, bridging radio Product and vehicle system engineers to meet tight lunar development schedules.

We value candidates with space hardware test experience, EMI/EMC expertise, Python/Linux skills, and the ability to work across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver robust radio