Systems Engineer III (RF / Microwave Systems)

Blue Origin LLC; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Systems Engineer III (RF/Microwave Systems) to advance space-based sensing architectures. You will craft and verify system requirements, perform trade studies, and produce key SE artifacts in collaboration with payload, spacecraft, and ground teams.

Role requires 5+ years in aerospace/system engineering, UHF antenna and phased-array expertise, and a TS/SCI clearance. Travel up to 10% and relocation support are offered; position can be performed at multiple U.S. locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering within aerospace, defense, or national security.
• Experience with UHF-band antenna design and performance parameters in space or airborne environments.
• Experience with phased array antenna systems and ESAs at UHF frequencies.
• RF system performance analysis, including link budgets and noise figure calculations.
• Experience with requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with NASA/DoD SE frameworks and MIL-STD-499 or equivalent.
• Experience with space-based RF sensing or surveillance system architectures.
• Familiarity with GMTI or AMTI concepts and implications on system design.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to present to diverse audiences.
• Active TS//SCI security clearance.
• U.S. citizen or eligible national / permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system-level requirements for space-based sensing systems with traceability from objectives to subsystems.
• Perform architecture trade studies to evaluate design options, margins, and feasibility.
• Create and review CONOPs, SRDs, ICDs, and SEMP artifacts.
• Collaborate with payload, spacecraft, ground systems, and operations teams for end-to-end coherence.
• Support design reviews and provide inputs to R&D milestones.
• Perform link budget analyses and RF performance assessments for space sensing.
• Study and optimize UHF antenna systems, including aperture sizing and beam patterns.
• Evaluate antenna integrations: deployable structures, phased arrays, feed networks.
• Engage government customers to translate needs into system requirements.
• Support risk mitigation and TPM tracking through the program lifecycle.

Skills

UHF antenna design

Phased arrays

RF system analysis

Requirements management

SE frameworks

Space-based RF sensing

GMTI/AMTI concepts

Security clearance TS/SCI

US citizenship / national status

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

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! The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit.

Systems Engineer III (RF/Microwave Systems)

The role is part of the Blue National Security business unit, which is focused on delivering advanced space‑based capabilities in support of national security missions. Within the Special Programs organization, this team operates at the forefront of mission engineering and architecture, developing next‑generation space systems that address the most demanding and consequential challenges in the defense domain.

Special Mentions

Relocation assistance is available for this position.

Travel expectation: up to 10%.

This role may be performed from any of Blue Origin’s primary U.S. locations, including but not limited to: Kent, WA; Denver, CO; Huntsville, AL; Reston, VA; LosAngeles, CA.

This is an individual contributor role.

An active TS//SCI security clearance is required prior to start.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system‑level requirements for advanced space‑based sensing systems, ensuring traceability from mission objectives through subsystem specifications
• Conduct system architecture trade studies and analyses to evaluate design alternatives, performance margins, and technical feasibility
• Author and review key systems engineering artifacts including Concepts of Operations (CONOPs), System Requirements Documents (SRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs)
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including payload, spacecraft, ground systems, and mission operations to ensure end‑to‑end system coherence
• Support design reviews and provide technical inputs to R&D program milestones
• Perform link budget analyses and RF system performance assessments relevant to space‑based sensing architectures
• Study the design, analyze, and optimize UHF‑band antenna systems, including aperture sizing, beam pattern characterization, polarization, and gain/noise performance in the space environment
• Evaluate antenna integration trades including deployable structures, phased array configurations, and feed network design at UHF frequencies
• Engage with government customers and mission partners to understand operational needs and translate them into actionable system requirements
• Support risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical performance measurement (TPM) tracking throughout the program lifecycle

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering within the aerospace, defense, or national security domain
• Demonstrated experience with UHF‑band antenna design, including analysis of antenna performance parameters (gain, beamwidth, polarization, impedance matching) in space or airborne environments
• Experience with phased array antenna systems, including electronically steered arrays (ESAs) at UHF frequencies
• Proficiency in RF system performance analysis, including link budgets and system noise figure calculations
• Experience developing and managing system‑level requirements using requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes and standards (e.g., NASA/DoD SE frameworks, MIL‑STD‑499, or equivalent)
• Experience with space‑based RF sensing or surveillance system architectures
• Familiarity with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) or Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) signal processing concepts and their implications on system design
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation and present to different audiences
• Active TS//SCI security clearance
• 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

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with radar system performance modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, STK, or custom simulation environments)
• Familiarity with space environment effects on RF systems, including ionospheric propagation, Faraday rotation, and thermal cycling impacts on antenna structures
• Prior experience working within a Special Programs or classified program environment
• Experience interfacing with DoD or Intelligence Community (IC) customers

Base Pay Range

• CA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70
• CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55
• WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70
• VA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70
• 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 (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

• 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.

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