Senior PCB Layout Engineer

Blue Origin; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 213,331 - 298,663; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Stock options for all employees

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Blue Origin is looking for an RF Payload Design Engineer in San Francisco, CA, to develop complex PCB designs for cutting-edge space vehicles. This role requires expertise in signal integrity and design for space environments.

The ideal candidate holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with at least 5 years of PCB design experience. Applicants will collaborate on high-performance circuits and contribute to pioneering safe and sustainable space travel.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in PCB design.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium or Cadence Allegro.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity principles.

Responsibilities

• Design multi-layer PCBs for mmWave and microwave RF systems.
• Develop layouts for Digital/Analog/RF circuits.
• Perform signal integrity analysis for high-speed digital interfaces.

Skills

PCB design experience

Signal integrity principles

RF/microwave PCB design

Design for space environment

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

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!

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 RF Payload Design team, you will be responsible for complex PCB designs and layouts with thousands of high‑ball‑count custom BGA devices with mmWave/RF/mixed‑signal interconnects. You will play a key role in conducting PCB stackup feasibility and trace routability studies to inform key payload architectural trades. Your responsibilities also include conducting PCB fabrication house design rule studies, leading the PCB OK2FAB process including DRC checks, design release, fabrication drawing preparation, assembly drawing, and so on.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Design multi‑layer PCBs for mmWave and microwave RF, complex digital, mixed‑signal and high power systems including FPGAs, Microcontrollers
• Develop PCB layouts for Digital/Analog/RF circuits with careful attention to impedance control, loss tangent, and electromagnetic compatibility
• Perform signal integrity analysis for high‑speed digital interfaces (PCIe, DDR, Ethernet)
• Create component libraries, design rule checks (DRCs), and maintain design standards
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on component selection, schematic review, and design optimization
• Generate fabrication and assembly documentation including Gerber files, drill files, and assembly drawings
• Work with PCB fabricators and CM vendors to ensure manufacturability and resolve fabrication issues
• Support board bring‑up activities, debugging hardware issues related to PCB design
• Design for space environment considerations including thermal management, radiation tolerance, and mechanical stress

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of PCB design experience
• Proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium Designer (preferred), Cadence Allegro, or similar)
• Strong understanding of signal integrity principles for high‑speed digital design (transmission lines, termination, crosstalk)
• Experience with higher layer count HDI board design with dense fanout and routing.
• Experience with controlled impedance design and working with PCB stackup optimization
• Experience with high voltage layout design including considerations for creepage clearance and thermal management.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC best practices and design guidelines
• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC‑2221, IPC‑6012, IPC‑A‑610)
• Experience with PCB layout for FPGAs, high‑speed ADCs/DACs, or mixed‑signal designs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with RF/microwave PCB design using high‑frequency laminates (Rogers, Taconic, etc.)
• Knowledge of power integrity analysis tools (e.g., HyperLynx, Ansys SIwave, Cadence Sigrity)
• Familiarity with thermal analysis tools and thermal management techniques for high‑power electronics
• Experience designing for space environment (vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, vibration)
• Understanding of design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for test (DFT) principles
• Knowledge of conformal coating, potting, and other space‑qualification techniques
• Previous experience with aerospace or satellite PCB designs
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD or NASA standards for PCB design

Base Pay Range

CA applicants $213,331.00 – $298,663.05 WA applicants $213,331.00 – $298,663.05

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, 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 (CDL drivers only), 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 workforce. 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 Affiantive 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.