Senior Space-to-Ground Communications Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC in Reston, VA, is seeking a Senior Communication Operations Engineer focused on Ground Operations for Blue Ring spacecraft. You will be the technical authority for communications interfaces between ground systems and on-orbit assets, guiding planning and integration of diverse ground networks into operations.

The role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to document critical ground operations processes, ensuring robust, reliable space-to-ground communications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in on-orbit spacecraft mission operations or ground operations.
• Experience with scheduling, integrating, and/or operating remote ground terminals for satellite operations.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines.
• Experience with developing and managing ground segment requirements.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to disseminate critical technical information effectively and clearly.
• Demonstrated technical leadership ability.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational integration of commercial, government, and civil antenna networks, including the Deep Space Network, into the Blue Ring ground system, ensuring compatibility and readiness.
• Establish and document the ground operations procedures, flight rules, and CONOPS required for reliable space-to-ground communications.
• Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans for Blue Ring missions, including contact scheduling, data link budgeting, and network resource allocation.
• Define technical requirements for the ground software alongside mission systems teams to support robust, automated ground communication operations.
• Support and build the execution of pre-flight validation and testing for the end-to-end communication system, from the spacecraft to the ground network and maintain capabilities throughout mission life.
• Serve as a senior technical contributor during real-time mission operations, responsible for the health and performance of the ground communications system.
• Perform deep-dive analysis of communication system telemetry to troubleshoot anomalies, assess performance, and drive system improvements throughout on-orbit operations.
• Collaborate with mission management to translate customer needs into actionable communication service plans and operational concepts.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Blue Origin LLC in Reston, VA, is seeking a Senior Communication Operations Engineer focused on Ground Operations for Blue Ring spacecraft. You will be the technical authority for communications interfaces between ground systems and on-orbit assets, guiding planning and integration of diverse ground networks into operations.

The role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to document critical ground operations processes, ensuring robust, reliable space-to-ground communications