Sr. RF Communications Systems Engineer - Ground Segment

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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.

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were working to develop reusable safe and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety collaboration and inclusion. Join our diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This position will report to the Blue National Security Ground Data Systems Manager.

As a Sr. RF Communications Systems Engineer you will work closely with an accomplished team of Ground System Software Mission Systems and Flight Operations Engineers. You will lead and perform RF/Communications development testing and deployment tasks across space and ground boundaries through the full system lifecycle of vehicles spanning National Security Civil and Commercial missions. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strategic technical capabilities crucial to the space-to-ground operations of spacecraft with diverse concepts of operations across a variety of orbits and ground station providers. The ideal candidate is someone who brings creative ideas along with the persistence and passion to build a program. You will enjoy a fast-paced dynamic environment contributing to innovative solutions while demonstrating personal leadership technical competence and attention to detail.

We are looking for someone to apply their vision passion technical expertise leadership skills and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Join us in enabling Blue Origins vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 for:

VA applicants is $156802.00 - $219522.45 CO applicants is $144179.00 - $201849.90

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont meet all desired requirements Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: 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 10001 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.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: 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 for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

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. For more information on Know Your Rights please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

Required Experience:

Senior IC