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Sr. Manufacturing RF DFX Engineer Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-09-18
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About the Role

As a Senior Manufacturing RF DFX Engineer, you will own the end-to-end RF assembly design integration of TeraWave modules. You will bridge RF/microwave circuit design, antenna and feed integration, and volume production readiness. Hardware must be architected not only for performance but for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and serviceability at constellation scale. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who has designed, integrated, and shipped complex RF assemblies in fast-moving, high-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

RF Assembly Design, Integration & Manufacturing

  • Lead RF/microwave assembly design for satellite communication modules and subsystems: RF front-ends, transceivers, filters, amplifiers, antenna feeds, waveguides, and mechanical integration of RF hardware.
  • Own RF assembly process development including impedance-controlled routing, shielding, connectorization, calibration procedures, and integration workflows to ensure robust, repeatable assembly.
  • Manage RF BOM procurement, vendor coordination, RF performance and tolerance analysis, and assembly oversight.
  • Drive first-article inspection, RF performance validation, process validation, and manufacturing readiness reviews to support production ramp.

Design for Excellence (DFX)

  • Drive Design for Excellence (DFX) principles across the full RF assembly lifecycle: DFM, DFT, DFA, DFR, and DFS.
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Optimize RF board stackups, transmission line geometry, material selection, shielding, and assembly processes to maximize yield and minimize cost at constellation-scale production volumes.
  • Design for Test (DFT): Architect RF test structures, calibration references, test points, and automated RF test coverage to enable efficient factory acceptance and in-field diagnostics.
  • Design for Assembly (DFA): Simplify connector selection, shielding integration, component placement, and mechanical integration to reduce assembly time, rework, and error rates on the line.
  • Design for Reliability (DFR): Apply derating, worst-case circuit analysis, FMEA, thermal-mechanical and vibration analysis, and reliability prediction to ensure stable RF performance and long-duration operation in the orbital environment.
  • Design for Serviceability/Supply Chain (DFS): Coordinate with supply chain and manufacturing partners to drive component standardization, second-sourcing strategies, and obsolescence mitigation across the production lifecycle.
  • Partner with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to define acceptance criteria, drive yield optimization, and support production ramp for sustained TeraWave operations.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in RF/microwave design, RF assembly, or RF systems integration in a product development and volume production environment.
  • Experience designing RF/microwave assemblies with impedance-controlled routing, high-frequency components, and tight performance tolerances. Proficiency in Altium, Cadence, ADS, HFSS, or equivalent RF design and simulation tools.
  • Hands-on experience with RF assembly processes, including connectorization, shielding, calibration, RF test, and line bring-up.
  • Demonstrated application of DFX principles (DFM/DFT/DFA/DFR) in bringing RF assemblies from design into volume production.
  • Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Electrical or RF/Microwave Engineering.
  • 15+ years of relevant experience.
  • Experience with satellite communications, phased-array antennas, mmWave systems, or high-frequency transceiver design.
  • Experience with RF simulation and analysis (HFSS, ADS, CST) and RF characterization/test.
  • Experience designing and manufacturing RF hardware for space, aviation, or other high-reliability thermal-vacuum environments.
  • Experience with radiation effects on RF electronics (SEE, TID, displacement damage) and mitigation techniques.
  • Background in production hardware including comprehensive DFX practices, RF process optimization, supply chain coordination, and yield optimization at scale.
  • Hands-on environmental qualification testing (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC).

Compensation & Location

Base pay range for CA and WA applicants: $145,188.00 - $203,263.20. Other site ranges may differ.

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. Travel up to 50%.

Employment Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (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.