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RF Systems Engineer III Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-10-20
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Role Overview

As an RF Systems Engineer III within the Advanced Capabilities organization at Blue Origin's National Security business unit, you will support a broad portfolio of civil, commercial, and National Security Space programs. Working closely with the Chief Communications Architect, you will shape the future of spacecraft communications from early-stage architecture development through system-level requirements definition and flow-down to spacecraft development teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the Chief Communications Architect to develop end-to-end RF communications system architectures for spacecraft across civil, commercial, and National Security Space programs
  • Develop and maintain initial RF link budgets for space-to-ground and crosslink communications across a range of mission profiles and orbital regimes
  • Define and develop system-level RF specifications and flow them down to spacecraft development teams for further design, integration, and delivery
  • Design and support testing of spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) systems and mission data systems
  • Perform RF systems analysis and trade studies, including modulation schemes, frequency band selection, antenna coverage, and link margin optimization
  • Support requirements definition, traceability, and verification across the RF communications subsystem lifecycle
  • Conduct performance analysis for missions spanning Earth-centered orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO) as well as deep space environments including cislunar and Mars
  • Engage with internal spacecraft development teams and external partners to ensure RF system designs meet mission requirements
  • Contribute to technical reviews and provide subject matter expertise on RF communications topics
  • Support proposal development and new business capture activities across the business unit
  • Stay current with emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in spacecraft RF communications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a closely related technical field
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in RF systems engineering, including design, analysis, integration, and/or test of spacecraft communications systems
  • Demonstrated experience developing RF link budgets and performing end-to-end communications system analysis
  • Working knowledge of spacecraft TT&C subsystem architectures, including transmitters, receivers, transponders, and associated ground station equipment
  • Experience developing and flowing down system-level RF specifications to hardware development teams
  • Familiarity with RF communications standards and protocols relevant to space applications (e.g., CCSDS)
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform system-level trade studies and communicate results clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience contributing to technical documentation and design reviews

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in spacecraft RF communications systems engineering
  • Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance or the ability to obtain one
  • Experience with deep space communications systems, including cislunar and/or Mars mission architectures
  • Familiarity with NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) or commercial ground network interfaces and operational concepts
  • Experience with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms and digital signal processing techniques
  • Proficiency in RF analysis and simulation tools such as STK, MATLAB, or Python
  • Background in antenna systems design, including phased arrays, high-gain antennas, and omnidirectional coverage analysis
  • Experience supporting National Security Space programs and familiarity with associated requirements and constraints
  • Knowledge of EMI/EMC design principles and testing methodologies for spaceflight hardware
  • Experience with environmental qualification of RF hardware (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC)
  • Experience contributing to government or commercial proposal efforts, including technical writing, basis of estimate development, and RF architecture inputs for new business capture
  • Demonstrated ability to work across multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Compensation and Relocation

Base pay range: VA applicants $130,706.00 to $182,987.70; CO applicants $119,814.00 to $167,738.55. Other site ranges may differ. Relocation assistance is available for candidates who qualify. Travel expectation is less than 25%.

Employment Requirements

Applicants 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. Blue's Standard Background Check is required for all positions.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Short and long-term disability
  • 401(k) with company match up to 5%
  • Education Support Program
  • Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
  • Paid Time Off: up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays
  • Performance bonuses and other benefits eligibility dependent on role type and job level