Sr. RF Communications Systems Engineer - Ground Segment

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar‑electric and chemical‑propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower‑profile costs.

Special Mentions Relocation provided Travel expected up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements, including traceability and verification and validation approaches
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, Integration & Test, and external vendors & ground station providers
• Define the ground data system and communications architectures across a diverse set of mission requirements and customer requirements
• Define and maintain ground data system interface requirements and control documents, for example Space Vehicle to Ground Network interfaces or Mission Control to Ground Network interfaces
• Plan, perform and document requirement verification and validation for Ground Data Systems
• Plan and perform frequent Ground Data Systems product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to production software releases, operations training events and flight
• Support initiatives to improve Mission Systems and Flight Operations engineering and other functional processes and tools
• Perform analysis to ensure operability across the Space‑Ground System, and support efforts to improve operability where justified

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field
• 10+ years of technical experience developing Space‑to‑Ground Communications systems and their ground systems, including RF Communications, Ground Data Systems Architecture, Software Design and Development, and Spacecraft telemetry, commanding, and sequencing
• 10+ years of technical experience working across the complete CCSDS OSI stack, including but not limited to communications theory, frequency and bandwidth selection, modulation, encoding, data link layer protocols, transport protocols (e.g., CCSDS Bundle Protocol, Licklider Transmission Protocol), application protocol and packet definition (file transfer, commanding, telemetry, command assurance), encryption, and communications security
• Strong experience developing communications link budgets to predict link closure, link quality, and effective data rates; ability to identify and manage risks against system performance
• Strong experience integrating commercial or civil ground stations and networks, including the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)
• Experience in space communication systems, particularly those geared towards Lunar, CisLunar, or deep‑space missions
• Proficient with communication standards and protocols including modulation formats, channel coding, and advanced waveforms (e.g., DVB‑S2/X, Ka/S/X bands, spread spectrum, etc.)
• Strong experience with radiometric ranging (two‑way, sequential, PN, regenerative), Doppler, or Delta Differential One‑Way Ranging (Delta‑DOR) systems
• Capable of creating and understanding Satellite Tool Kit (STK) simulations with RF link analysis reports
• Extensive experience with instrumentation and Hardware and Software based Ground Modems (e.g., Amergint, Kratos) using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes
• Experience in a complex system lifecycle – requirement definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, commissioning and/or operations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic work environment
• Ability to travel in support of test and flight operations
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• 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 aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field
• Experience with RF spectrum licensing
• First principles knowledge of all major spacecraft subsystems including Avionics, TT&C, and/or RF Payloads
• Experience with Optical communication and Ground Optical Terminals.
• Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS
• Next Generation Operational fault management including familiarity with system safety analysis techniques including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and other project management software tools
• Familiarity with version control, preferably Git
• Experience with configuration and product data management tools, preferably Windchill
• Experience working with and proposing to U.S. Government research agencies (e.g., NASA, AFRL, DARPA)

Base Pay Range

• VA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
• CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
• Other site ranges may differ

Background Check Required

• Blue’s Standard Background Check Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

Stock Options

Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Benefits and Bonuses Eligibility

Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.

Company Mission Statement

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission‑driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.