Senior Thermal Engineer - Payload Systems

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 156,802 - 219,522; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off and holidays

Stock options available

Job summary

Blue Origin is searching for a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the thermal design and analysis of advanced phased array antenna systems. This key role ensures reliable performance of high-frequency antenna systems while working collaboratively across various teams.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in thermal management, strong expertise with RF electronics, and proficiency in thermal modeling tools. Join us in pioneering the future of space-based communications.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace or RF systems.
• Demonstrated experience with spaceborne thermal design.
• Strong understanding of phased array antenna systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal architecture development for phased array antennas.
• Design and optimize thermal solutions for ground-based terminals.
• Develop thermal models covering conduction, radiation, and convection.

Skills

Thermal management of RF electronics

Phased array antenna systems

Thermal modeling tools

Systems thinking

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or physics

Master's or PhD in relevant fields

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

ANSYS Icepak

Job description

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.

We are seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the thermal design and analysis of advanced phased array antenna systems for both satellite payloads and ground‑based user terminals. This role is central to ensuring reliable performance of high‑power, high‑frequency antenna systems operating across harsh orbital and terrestrial environments, including Q/V‑band and beyond.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in thermal management of RF electronics, active phased arrays, and space‑qualified hardware, along with the ability to drive cross‑disciplinary design integration across mechanical, RF, digital, and power subsystems.

This role offers the opportunity to shape next‑generation satellite communication systems and high‑performance ground terminals, enabling robust, high‑capacity connectivity in increasingly demanding RF environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead thermal architecture development for satellite‑based phased array antennas, including active RF front ends, beamforming ICs, and associated power electronics.
• Design and optimize thermal solutions for ground‑based phased array terminals operating under dynamic environmental conditions (solar loading, ambient extremes, precipitation, and installation variability).
• Develop detailed thermal models using tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent, covering conduction, radiation, and convection regimes as appropriate.
• Define and manage thermal interfaces across payload subsystems, including radiators, heat pipes, loop heat pipes, cold plates, and structural elements.
• Perform transient and steady‑state thermal analyses to validate performance under mission profiles, including peak RF duty cycles, eclipse transitions, and worst‑case environmental conditions.
• Collaborate closely with RF, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure thermal constraints are integrated into antenna element layout, T/R module design, and packaging.
• Establish thermal requirements, margins, and verification plans aligned with mission reliability and lifetime goals.
• Support hardware development, including thermal testing, correlation of models to test data, and anomaly resolution.
• Drive thermal design trades balancing performance, mass, power consumption, manufacturability, and cost for both space and ground systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to organizational best practices in thermal engineering.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace, RF systems, or high‑performance electronics.
• Demonstrated experience with spaceborne thermal design, including vacuum environments, radiation heat transfer, and flight hardware qualification.
• Strong understanding of phased array antenna systems, including thermal challenges associated with dense T/R module integration and high‑power densities.
• Experience with thermal modeling tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS Icepak, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of materials, coatings, and thermal interface technologies suitable for space and outdoor ground systems.
• Familiarity with environmental standards (e.g., NASA, ESA, MIL‑STD) and qualification testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• Experience with Q/V‑band or higher frequency RF systems and associated thermal constraints.
• Background in both space and terrestrial antenna systems, particularly electronically steered arrays.
• Experience with advanced cooling techniques, including loop heat pipes, vapor chambers, and liquid cooling systems.
• Experience supporting production scaling and cost optimization for phased array hardware.

Key Attributes

• Strong systems thinking and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to translate complex thermal challenges into practical engineering solutions.
• Proven leadership in driving designs from concept through qualification and deployment.
• Excellent communication skills for both technical and programmatic stakeholders.

Compensation Range for WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45.

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.

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 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 the relevant federal and state guidelines.