Senior RF Communication Systems Engineer

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior RF Communications Systems Engineer to lead RF/Communications development across space and ground boundaries. You will shape Ground Data Systems architectures, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and ensure verification, validation, and production readiness through the full system lifecycle.

The role requires strong leadership, clear written/verbal communication, and a passion for safe human spaceflight.

Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in Space-to-Ground and ground data systems with RF comms.
• Experience with CCSDS, modulation, encoding, and security in comms.

Responsibilities

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements.
• Collaborate with flight, ground software, and external vendors.
• Define ground data system architectures across mission requirements.
• Plan verification/validation for Ground Data Systems.
• Lead production software releases and training events.
• Support process improvements in Mission Systems/Flight Ops.
• Analyze operability across Space-Ground system.

Skills

RF Communications

Ground Data Systems

Software design

Space-to-Ground

System verification

Education

B.S. in aerospace engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

Amergint

Kratos

VNAs

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 Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

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 position will report to the In‑Space Systems, Ground Data Systems Lead. As a Senior RF Communication Systems Engineer, you will work closely with an accomplished team of Ground System, Software, Mission Systems and Flight Operations Engineers. You will lead and perform RF / Communications development, testing and deployment tasks across space and ground boundaries, through the full system lifecycle of In‑Space Systems vehicles. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strategic technical capabilities crucial to the space-to-ground operations of spacecraft with diverse concepts of operations across a variety of orbits & ground station providers. The ideal candidate is someone who brings creative ideas, along with the persistence and passion to build a program. You will enjoy a fast-paced dynamic environment, contributing innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. We are looking for someone to apply their vision, passion, technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Join us in enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!

Responsibilities

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements, including traceability and verification and validation approaches.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, Integration & Test, and external vendors & ground station providers.
• Define the ground data system and communications architectures across a diverse set of mission requirements and customer requirements.
• Define and maintain ground data system interface requirements and control documents, for example Space Vehicle to Ground Network interfaces or Mission Control to Ground Network interfaces.
• Plan, perform and document requirement verification and validation for Ground Data Systems
• Plan and perform frequent Ground Data Systems product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to production software releases, operations training events and flight.
• Support initiatives to improve Mission Systems and Flight Operations engineering and other functional processes and tools.
• Perform analysis to ensure operability across the Space-Ground System, and support efforts to improve operability where justified.

Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of Technical Experience developing Space-to-Ground Communications systems and their ground systems including RF Communications, Ground Data Systems Architecture, Software Design and Development and Spacecraft telemetry, commanding and sequencing.
• 10+ years of Technical Experience in the Communications domain, spanning the complete OSI stack. Including but not limited to communications theory, frequency and bandwidth selection, modulation, encoding, transport protocols and standards (including CCSDS), application protocol and packet definition (file transfer, commanding, telemetry, command assurance), and communications security.
• Strong experience developing communications link budgets to predict link closure, link quality, and effective data rates. Ability to identify and manage risks against system performance.
• Proficient with communication standards and protocols including modulation formats, channel coding, and advanced waveforms (e.g. DVB-S2/X, Ka/S/X bands, spread spectrum, etc.)
• Strong experience with DSN ranging systems, i.e., CCSDS regenerative and transparent ranging, PN ranging codes, ground stations/modems, ranging/Doppler biases.
• Extensive experience with instrumentation and Hardware & Software based Ground Modems (i.e. Amergint, Kratos) -using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes
• Experience in a complex system lifecycle – requirement definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, commissioning and/or operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired

• M.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field
• Experience in space communication systems, particularly those geared towards Lunar, CisLunar or deep-space missions.
• Experience working on large complex programs with multiple partners.
• Experience defining and performing multifaceted trade studies.
• First principles knowledge of all major spacecraft subsystems including Avionics, TT&C and or RF Communications
• Experience with laser ranging and telemetry ranging systems.
• Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS Next Generation
• Operational fault management including familiarity with system safety analyses techniques including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA
• Familiarity with version control, preferably Git
• Experience with configuration and product data management tools, preferably Windchill
• Experience working with and proposing to U.S. Government research agencies (e.g. NASA, AFRL, DARPA)

Base Pay Range for

VA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
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

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