Sr. RF Communications Systems Engineer – Ground Segment

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 144,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock Options

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior RF Communications Systems Engineer to lead RF/communications development for ground and space segments. You will drive system design across diverse missions, coordinate with Ground Data Systems, software, and flight operations, and push for robust validation and production readiness.

The role emphasizes safety, collaboration, and inclusion within Blue National Security, with travel as needed. U.S. citizenship or equivalent work authorization is required.

Qualifications

• BS in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, CS, physics or related field.
• 10+ years in space-to-ground comms and ground systems.
• Experience across CCSDS OSI stack and data link/transport layers.
• Experience with link budgets and DSN integration.
• Knowledge of RF standards and satellite comms.
• Ability to travel for test/flight ops.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements and verification methods.
• Collaborate with flight vehicle, ground software, and vendors.
• Design ground data system architectures for diverse missions.
• Develop interfaces for Space Vehicle to Ground and Mission Control to Ground.
• Plan and perform ground data system validation and production releases.
• Support process improvements across Mission Systems and Flight Ops.

Skills

Space-to-Ground Communications

CCSDS OSI stack

Ground Data Systems Architecture

RF Link Budgets

DSN Experience

Telemetry & Sequencing

RF Standards & Protocols

STK RF Simulations

Education

B.S. in aerospace engineering or related technical field

Tools

Amergint/Kratos Ground Modems

VNAs & Spectrum Analyzers

DOORS Next Generation (preferred)

Job description

Application Close Date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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. 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 Blue National Security Ground Data Systems Manager. As a Sr. RF Communications 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 vehicles spanning National Security, Civil, and Commercial missions. 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 and 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 to 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!

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• 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

Minimum 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 working across the complete CCSDS OSI stack, including but not limited to communications theory, frequency and bandwidth selection, modulation, encoding, data link layer protocols, transport protocols (e.g., CCSDS Bundle Protocol, Licklider Transmission Protocol), application protocol and packet definition (file transfer, commanding, telemetry, command assurance), encryption, 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
• Strong experience integrating commercial or civil ground stations and networks, including the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)
• Experience in space communication systems, particularly those geared towards Lunar, CisLunar, or deep-space missions
• 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 radiometric ranging (two-way, sequential, PN, regenerative), Doppler, or Delta Differential One-Way Ranging (Delta-DOR) systems
• Capable of creating and understanding Satellite Tool Kit (STK) simulations with RF link analysis reports
• Extensive experience with instrumentation and Hardware and Software based Ground Modems (e.g., 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 travel in support of test and flight operations
• 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. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field
• Experience with RF spectrum licensing
• First principles knowledge of all major spacecraft subsystems including Avionics, TT&C, and/or RF Payloads
• Experience with Optical communication and Ground Optical Terminals.
• Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS Next Generation
• Operational fault management including familiarity with system safety analysis techniques including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and other project management software tools
• 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

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affi…