Sr. Electircal Engineer, RF Payloads - TeraWave

Blue Origin; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in California seeks an Electrical Engineer IV to lead RF payload hardware efforts for the TeraWave network. You will bridge high-speed digital logic and phased array systems, guide architecture trade studies, and mentor junior engineers while coordinating with suppliers across programs.

You will design multi-layer, high-density interconnect PCBs, develop power systems, and drive lab bring-up and testing to ensure performance and reliability in space-grade environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years in complex hardware product development (telecom/aerospace).
• Experience with high-speed mixed-signal PCB layout tools (Altium/Cadence).
• Experience designing power delivery for high-power, dynamic systems.
• Experience using spectrum analyzers and VNA for hardware debug.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture trade studies for RF payload hardware across subsystems.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with suppliers and vendors.
• Direct bring-up, debugging, and lab testing of RF payload boards.
• Drive design decisions across programs and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate cross-program technical efforts and maintain high-quality documentation.

Skills

RF payload design

High-speed PCB design

EMI/EMC mitigation

Power electronics integration

Mentoring engineers

Cross-program coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

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.

About This Role

This Electrical Engineer IV role leads electrical engineering efforts for the RF payload hardware supporting Blue Origin's TeraWave satellite communications network, a next-generation constellation designed to deliver aggregate global network capacity of up to 6 Tbps. This role acts as the technical point of contact bridging high-speed digital logic and phased array antenna systems, leading architecture trade studies, guiding supplier and vendor technical decisions, and coordinating across programs. This position also mentors junior and mid-level engineers to build electrical engineering capability across the team.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Develop multi-layer, high-density interconnect PCB designs, ensuring isolation between high-speed digital lines and microwave routing.
• Design efficient power systems, including PoE, DC-DC converters, and PMICs, supporting high dynamic current beamforming loads.
• Lead simulation and analysis efforts to minimize noise, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference across payload systems.
• Lead architecture trade studies to define RF payload hardware approaches across multiple subsystems and programs.
• Serve as technical point of contact for RF payload hardware, driving design decisions independently across the subsystem.
• Direct physical bring-up, hardware debugging, and functional lab testing for system-level RF payload boards.
• Provide technical leadership to suppliers and vendors, ensuring RF payload hardware meets program requirements.
• Coordinate technical efforts across programs and mentor junior and mid-level engineers on RF payload hardware design.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in complex hardware product development, such as telecom or aerospace electronics.
• Proficiency with EDA tools, including Altium Designer or Cadence Allegro, for high-speed mixed-signal PCB layout.
• Experience designing power delivery networks for high-power, dynamic electronic systems including DC-DC converters.
• Experience using spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and high-speed oscilloscopes for hardware debug and validation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field, supporting advanced RF payload development.
• Strong understanding of RF concepts, including impedance matching, shielding, and insertion loss, to support antenna integration.
• Experience mentoring junior and mid-level electrical engineers on RF payload hardware design and development practices.
• Familiarity with satellite communication protocols or commercial high-speed wireless infrastructure, including 5G and Wi-Fi 6E/7 systems.
• Experience designing hardware architecture around Xilinx/AMD Zynq SoCs, Altera/Intel FPGAs, or high-speed ARM processors.
• Track record designing hardware that successfully passes regulatory compliance testing, such as FCC Part 15/25 or CE.
• Knowledge of thermal management strategies for high-power density boards and outdoor, weather-proof enclosure design practices.

Base Pay Range For

CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative 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.