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RF Hardware Engineer III - Lunar Permanence Verified today

Blue Origin · Seattle, WA · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-09-29
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About the Role

This position is part of Blue Origin's Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Moon landers and related products for sustainable crew and cargo transport to the lunar surface.

You will lead test and integration for RF hardware that enables lunar missions: radios, transceivers, solid-state power amplifiers, radar sensors, and GNSS receivers at card and box/LRU levels. You will take hardware from first bench bring-up through functional characterization, environmental exposure, and qualification, ensuring hardware and records meet engineering and quality requirements.

As technical lead for EMI/EMC test and validation across the RF hardware portfolio, you will own multipaction analysis and test for high-power RF assemblies operating in vacuum. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where your test results directly drive design decisions and flight readiness.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and review RF requirements, mitigation techniques, test plans, and procedures with expertise in RF communications test, EMI/EMC, and environmental test methodologies
  • Lead EMI/EMC test and validation including conducted and radiated emissions and susceptibility, pre-compliance screening, and formal qualification; advise design teams on grounding, bonding, shielding, filtering, and harness treatment
  • Own multipaction and corona/RF breakdown analysis and test for high-power RF assemblies, including margin assessment, vacuum setup preparation, detection method selection, and results interpretation
  • Support design and systems engineers in RF and avionics hardware design and verification plan development; advocate for design-for-testability
  • Support card-level and box-level hardware bring-up, integration, functional checkout, interface verification, debug, and troubleshooting
  • Work with hardware and software design engineers to design, build, and verify custom Automated Test Equipment, RF test benches, fixtures, cabling, and calibration approaches
  • Perform and oversee RF performance characterization: gain, output power, efficiency, noise figure, linearity, spurious and harmonic content, phase noise, VSWR, and modulated signal performance
  • Support schedule development, resource coordination, test facility and equipment scheduling
  • Lead test readiness efforts, resolve work stoppages, and delegate supporting tasks
  • Lead and directly run test procedures
  • Enforce safety policies during test operations, including high-power RF exposure controls and high-voltage safety
  • Troubleshoot test anomalies in real-time and identify test article and test equipment non-conformances
  • Lead anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and develop recovery plans
  • Generate test record summaries and support generation of verification artifacts
  • Interface with internal and external test facilities, labs, and suppliers for chamber time, specialty testing, and third-party compliance
  • Develop and improve processes and standard procedures to optimize team quality and efficiency
  • Train test specialists and other test engineers in RF test practice and EMI/EMC methods

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in electrical, computer, or aerospace engineering, physics, or related field
  • Minimum 3 years demonstrated aerospace test experience including: developing test requirements, plans, procedures, and reports; operating and troubleshooting test setups; participating in environmental testing (Shock/Vibration, Thermal Cycles, Vacuum, EMI/EMC)
  • Minimum 5 years demonstrated hardware test experience of RF and avionics devices at card, box, or system level (radios, transceivers, power amplifiers, radar, GNSS/navigation, RF distribution, Command & Control, Power, Input/Output)
  • Demonstrated experience planning and executing EMI/EMC testing, including radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility, with working knowledge of MIL-STD-461, DO-160, or equivalent standards
  • Working knowledge of EMI/EMC design and mitigation techniques: grounding and bonding, shielding, filtering, cable routing and shield termination, and enclosure design
  • Proficiency with standard electronic lab test and troubleshooting equipment: vector network analyzers, spectrum and signal analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and electronic loads
  • Desire to work hands-on, independently and as part of a team, throughout development and production phases of mechanical and electronic assembly product lifecycle
  • Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to work with multi-functional teams (mechanical, systems, operations) to partner for best test implementation solutions
  • 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

  • Direct experience with multipaction analysis and test, including ECSS-E-ST-20-01 or equivalent methodology, susceptibility charts, margin policy, vacuum test article preparation, and detection techniques
  • Experience with multipaction and RF breakdown modeling tools (SPARK3D, CST Particle Studio, FEST3D, Ansys HFSS) and familiarity with high-power RF component and waveguide design
  • Hands-on experience in anechoic, semi-anechoic, reverberation, or TEM/GTEM chambers, thermal vacuum chambers, and vibration facilities
  • Experience developing, designing, and/or verifying custom Automated Test Equipment
  • Experience with Python for instrument control and data analysis (SCPI, VISA, GPIB)
  • Familiarity with Linux and other Unix-style operating systems
  • Familiarity with git, JIRA, Windchill
  • Experience testing space-grade or high-reliability hardware to qualification and acceptance standards: GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS), MIL-STD-1540, SMC-S-016, or ECSS
  • Experience developing hardware to IPC J-STD-0001xS, IPC/WHMA-A-620x-S, and/or NASA-STD-8739.n standards
  • Familiarity with digital communication systems, spread spectrum, and modulation types (PSK, APSK, QAM) and modulated signal test methods
  • Experience with GNSS test methods, including signal and constellation simulators
  • Experience with radar test methods, including target simulation, range and Doppler verification, and antenna pattern measurement

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for Washington applicants: $130,706 to $182,987.70. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and Education Support Program. Stock options available for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week. Paid time off up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Employees may be eligible for bonuses based on role type and job level.

Background and Clearance

Blue's Standard Background Check required for all positions. Additional checks may apply depending on role requirements and military installation access.