mmWave IC Design Engineer - TeraWave

About the Role

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! Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

We are seeking an mmWave IC Design Engineer to drive the development of state-of-the-art RF/mmWave integrated chips at Blue Origin. In this pivotal role, you will be designing cutting‑edge integrated front‑end circuits such as power amplifiers, low‑noise amplifiers, phase shifters, variable‑gain amplifiers, mixers, multipliers, and synthesizers at RF/mmWave frequencies, primarily in advanced silicon technologies. Your innovation in front‑end implementation will be critical in realizing system architectures for next‑generation communication networks and advancing our mission of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment
• This role will be based onsite in San Diego, CA; Cupertino, CA; or Renton, WA. A temporary remote work exception is approved while our San Diego site is being developed.

Responsibilities

• Design state-of-the-art RF/mmWave front‑end chipsets, including power amplifiers, low‑noise amplifiers, phase shifters, variable‑gain amplifiers, mixers, multipliers, and synthesizers.
• Partner with RF system engineers to run feasibility studies and architect RF/mmWave transmitter and receiver front‑ends, translating system-level requirements into chip-level specifications.
• Design and simulate on‑chip electromagnetic (EM) structures and collaborate with the package engineering team on co‑optimization of IC/package interfaces.
• Supervise chip‑level front‑end integration and optimization throughout the development lifecycle and ensure successful production.
• Work with third‑party design partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 7+ years of experience in millimeter‑wave/RFIC design using SiGe, CMOS, and SOI technologies, with successful completion of multiple product lifecycles for high‑volume chipsets.
• Strong experience with various circuit topologies for amplifiers, mixers, switches, and synthesizers, specifically at mmWave frequencies with fully integrated on‑chip implementations.
• Proven expertise in the analysis and optimization of transmitter and receiver front‑ends for complex modulated waveforms, including practical modeling and circuit simulations of TX/RX chains with time‑sampled waveforms.
• Hands‑on experience in mmWave IC characterization and debugging.
• Experience with analog building blocks such as operational amplifiers, bias generators, temperature sensors, LDOs, and ADC/DAC implementations.
• Proficiency in EM simulations for both on‑chip and package components.
• Prior experience with top‑level integration, including ESD, mixed‑signal/mixed‑mode verification, and DFM concepts.
• 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

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering or related field
• Experience with beamforming front‑ends and phased array implementations.
• Experience in high‑performance IC development using III‑V technologies (e.g., GaAs, GaN).
• Strategic mindset and strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and drive complex projects to completion.
• Experience mentoring early‑career engineers.

Base Pay Range

CA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85

WA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85

Other site ranges may differ.

Culture Statement

Don't 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 you're 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 (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check Required

Background Check Required for all positions: 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 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 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. 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

• 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%
• 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 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. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Final Remarks

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. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! 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.