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Senior RF Communications Engineer, Blue National Security (BNS) Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-10-21
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About the Role

As a Senior RF Communications Engineer with Blue National Security (BNS), you will have end-to-end ownership of next-generation spacecraft RF and optical communication systems. Your work spans analysis and design through manufacturing, test, and on-orbit operations. This role touches the full subsystem lifecycle: specifications, procurement, assembly and integration testing, and mission support.

You will work on Blue Ring, our hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft designed for national security missions, delivering unmatched mission maneuverability and capacity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as technical lead for RF communications systems: mentor junior engineers, review technical products, and author systems documentation.
  • Architect and deploy mission-critical RF communications systems from concept through checkout, enabling real-time telemetry, video, and data flows for spacecraft operations.
  • Own end-to-end system performance, including link budget, phase noise, coverage analyses, and requirements verification across all flight phases.
  • Design and execute RF test campaigns spanning bench, integrated systems, and field environments to validate hardware and ensure full interoperability.
  • Drive procurement strategy from supplier vetting through ongoing management, ensuring hardware meets mission requirements.
  • Define and maintain system architecture, including sizing, requirements derivation, and performance parameters.
  • Coordinate critical interfaces across space relay platforms, ground stations, and internal command and data handling and payload subsystems.
  • Own configuration control and documentation, maintaining functional and logical diagrams, asset inventories, and procedures.
  • Support hardware integration labs, vehicle testing, peer reviews, and sit on-console during Launch and Early Operations.

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical subject area.
  • Minimum 8 years of experience in avionics and communication systems development and verification.
  • Knowledge of communication systems for system design, radios, antennas, RF components, and waveforms.
  • Experience performing electromagnetic simulations using tools such as HFSS, CST, or TICRA to optimize antenna performance and coverage.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
  • Demonstrated leadership of technical teams with emphasis on mentoring junior engineers.
  • 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 Electrical Engineering or related technical subject area.
  • Experience performing satellite link budget simulations using mission design tools such as ANSYS Systems Tool Kit (STK).
  • Minimum 5 years of experience with SATCOM, microwave line-of-sight, or other RF communications systems.
  • Knowledge of RF circuit design, layout, fabrication, and testing.
  • Proficiency in waveform design, algorithms development (including Matlab/Simulink simulations), or networking.
  • Experience with software tools such as DOORS Next Generation, Cameo, Confluence, JIRA, Git, Creo, and Windchill.

Special Notes

  • Top Secret clearance desired.
  • Relocation provided.
  • Travel expected up to 25% of the time.
  • Base pay range for Colorado applicants: $144,179.00 to $201,849.90. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Basic and supplemental life insurance.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Short and long-term disability.
  • 401(k) with company match up to 5%.
  • Education Support Programme.
  • Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
  • Paid time off: up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
  • Potential eligibility for performance bonuses (amounts and eligibility subject to change and not guaranteed).