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RF Radio Responsible Engineer Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-09-23
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Role Overview

You will lead concept development, hardware and firmware development, test, integration, and production transfer for radio products within the Lunar Permanence business unit. As Single Threaded Leader for radio products, you own hardware bring-up, functional characterization, environmental qualification, and ensure both hardware and records meet engineering and quality standards. You serve as the technical bridge between product engineers and vehicle system teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as technical authority for RF software-defined radios operating UHF through Ka-Band
  • Lead multi-disciplinary team (electrical, RF, software, FPGA, test, mechanical) in vertical integration under aggressive schedule
  • Develop and review RF requirements for lunar vehicles; assess mitigation techniques and review test plans for EMI/EMC and environmental tests
  • Lead handoff of radio products from development to production
  • Act as technical bridge between radio product team and vehicle system engineers
  • Support design and systems engineers in RF and avionics hardware design, verification planning, and design-for-testability advocacy
  • Work with hardware and software engineers to design, build, and verify custom Automated Test Equipment including RF test benches, fixtures, cabling, and calibration approaches
  • Support schedule development and resource coordination for test facilities, chambers, and equipment
  • Lead test readiness efforts, resolve work stoppages, and delegate supporting tasks
  • Troubleshoot test anomalies in real-time and identify non-conformances
  • Lead anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and recovery plan development
  • Generate test record summaries and verification artifacts
  • Interface with internal and external test facilities, labs, and suppliers for chamber time and compliance activities

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in electrical, computer, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field
  • Minimum 3 years RF communications system design for space environment
  • Minimum 3 years qualifying space hardware for space environment
  • Minimum 3 years aerospace test experience: developing test requirements, plans, procedures, reports, and test equipment/setups; operating and troubleshooting test articles; participating in environmental testing (Shock, Vibration, Thermal Cycles, Vacuum, EMI/EMC)
  • Familiarity with digital communication systems, spread spectrum, and modulation types (PSK, APSK, QAM) and modulated signal test methods
  • Minimum 3 years hardware test experience of RF and avionics devices at card, box, or system level (radios, transceivers, power amplifiers, radar, GNSS, RF distribution, Command & Control, Power, Input/Output)
  • Working knowledge of EMI/EMC design and mitigation: grounding and bonding, shielding, filtering, cable routing, shield termination, enclosure design
  • Proficiency with standard electronic lab test and troubleshooting equipment: vector network analyzers, spectrum and signal analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, electronic loads
  • Desire to work hands-on, independently and as part of a team, through development and production phases
  • Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to work with multi-functional teams (mechanical, systems, operations)
  • Must be U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience testing space-grade or high-reliability hardware to qualification and acceptance standards (GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-1540, SMC-S-016, ECSS)
  • Experience with CCSDS protocols
  • Experience developing, designing, and verifying custom Automated Test Equipment
  • Experience with Python for instrument control and data analysis (SCPI, VISA, GPIB)
  • Familiarity with Linux and Unix-style operating systems
  • Familiarity with git, JIRA, Windchill
  • Demonstrated experience planning and executing EMI/EMC testing (radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility) with knowledge of MIL-STD-461, DO-160, or equivalent standards
  • Experience developing hardware to IPC J-STD-0001xS, IPC/WHMA-A-620x-S, and/or NASA-STD-8739.n standards

Compensation

Base pay range for VA and WA applicants: $130,706.00 - $182,987.70. Other site ranges may differ.

Employment Details

This role requires a Standard Background Check. Applicants must be U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as refugee or granted asylum.