Sr. RF Antenna Test Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sr. RF Antenna Test Engineer to join their Lunar Permanence team. This role involves designing, testing, and validating antennas for spacecraft communications, ensuring performance meets rigorous environmental standards. You'll collaborate with diverse engineers, leveraging your expertise in RF systems and antenna technology to contribute to groundbreaking space missions. This position promises a dynamic work environment where your contributions will directly impact the future of human spaceflight. If you're passionate about innovation and eager to make a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in antenna testing and RF systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python for data analysis.
• Strong background in environmental qualification processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage testing, validation, and qualification of antennas.
• Write automated scripts for antenna radiation pattern analysis.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams for antenna product testing.

Skills

Antenna Testing

RF Systems Measurements

MATLAB

Python

Environmental Qualification

Communication Systems Testing

Project Management

Technical Writing

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

VNAs

Anechoic Chambers

HFSS

Job description

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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 role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse, multi-disciplinary engineers, you will own the design, manufacturing, and testing of the antennas for Blue Origin’s spacecraft. You will work with a multidisciplinary team for development of these antennas from early concepts to product prototypes to initial flight units. In this role, you will leverage your understanding of RF engineering, antenna parameter optimization, microstrip, aperture, wire and parabolic antenna types and their manufacture. You and the team will develop custom antennas that will enhance our target radio performance by taking advantage of physical aspects of the materials as well as designing to meet challenging environmental and test requirements. This position will report into the Lunar Antenna Vertical Integration team that is responsible for spacecraft antenna design, development, test, and qualification.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, execute, and manage the plan for the testing, validation, and qualification of antennas and their associated components for spacecraft communications
• Write and develop automated scripts in MATLAB or Python to analyze antenna radiation patterns from HFSS simulations and test data
• Calibrate VNAs and anechoic chambers to ensure accurate and reliable antenna measurements
• Qualify antennas for challenging Lunar environmental requirements
• Lead a team of multi-disciplinary manufacturing and environmental engineers and technicians across multiple product teams to guide the testing and qualification of antenna products on schedule and budget
• Work with Avionics, Communications, and other product teams to ensure antenna products meet communications requirements through rigorous testing
• Serve as subject matter expert on antenna testing, RF measurement techniques, and environmental qualification processes
• Collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of testing efforts
• Identify cross-cutting capabilities and needs across Blue Origin, consolidate demand, and formulate efficient strategies for development of RF and antenna testing capabilities
• Develop RF product testing evolution plans and strategies, execute projects for continuous improvement of our communications testing capabilities, and oversee their integration into our spacecraft programs
• Relentlessly look for opportunities to increase performance, enable new capabilities and bolder missions, reduce cost, and reduce cycle time/production time

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in electrical engineering, physics, or related areas of study
• 10+ years of experience in antenna testing, RF systems measurements, analysis, modeling, and environmental qualification of spacecraft communications assemblies
• Demonstrated experience in the development, prototyping, and testing of antennas and complex RF components for aerospace applications
• Proficiency in fundamentals of RF communication system testing—system analysis, free-space transmission principles, and experience in RF system measurement and simulation
• Experience working across multiple frequency bands such as UHF, L, S, X, and Ka
• In-depth knowledge of antenna testing and measurement techniques (e.g., gain measurements, near-field measurements, antenna polarization, etc)
• Deep knowledge of RF components and concepts (radios, noise filters, amplifiers, RF integrated circuits, PCB layout, firmware, FPGAs, modulation schemes, forward error correction, GPS, etc.)
• Experience in product schedule, cost, and delivery management
• Ability to challenge the status quo, break down issues to their fundamental elements, and drive efficient product solutions with emphasis on long-term goals and product sustainability
• Excellent verbal communication skills to influence a variety of direct and indirect stakeholders
• Strong technical background or technical writing experience
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or related areas of study
• Knowledge of antenna near-field to far-field transformation techniques
• Experience in building and testing conformal microstrip, parabolic, horn, and wire antennas
• Demonstrated experience in leading products through successful test phases

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Industries

  Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

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