Principal Deep Space RF Communications Architect

Blue Origin • Littleton, CO

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Deep Space RF Communications Architect within the Advanced Capabilities organization, you will serve as a senior technical authority responsible for defining and driving end-to-end RF communications architectures for Mars and cislunar telecommunications and PNT programs. You will shape the communications backbone of next-generation deep space systems — spanning TT&C, proximity links, relay crosslinks, and Earth-to-deep-space mission data links — and influence program direction from concept through execution. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role at the forefront of Blue Origin's deep space exploration mission, enabling humanity's long-term presence on the Moon and Mars.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 12+ years of experience in RF systems engineering, communications systems design, or closely related disciplines, with a proven track record in the development, integration, and deployment of space-segment communications systems
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and integrating TT&C, proximity link, relay crosslink, and/or mission data link systems for space vehicles or satellites
• Proven expertise in RF link budget analysis, waveform design, modulation and coding techniques, and antenna system architecture, design, and performance evaluation for deep space or long-range applications
• Strong understanding of deep space link budget analysis, accounting for extreme distances, planetary occultations, and solar interference
• Experience with high-gain antenna systems, including design, pointing requirements, and performance optimization
• Experience using industry-standard RF communications design, modeling, and simulation tools, including Cadence AWR, Ansys HFSS & STK, MathWorks Simulink, and MATLAB
• Ability to flow down communication system requirements into RF component-level performance specifications for RFP development and procurement activities
• Experience working on deep space, cislunar, or planetary exploration programs and familiarity with associated government and commercial customers
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to present complex architectures to both technical and executive audiences
• Experience developing architecture documentation and contributing to proposal efforts
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in RF communications testing and in-orbit test (IOT) support, including development and execution of RF test procedures, validation of system performance, and support for integration, launch, and on-orbit verification activities
• Direct experience with previous interplanetary mission communications systems
• Familiarity with NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) interfaces, LunaNet Interoperability Specification, CCSDS Proximity-1 protocol, and Moon-to-Mars (M2M) architecture standards
• Experience with hybrid RF and optical/laser communications architectures for deep space relay and high-data-rate mission links
• Knowledge of deep space spectrum management, frequency coordination, and ITU/NTIA/SFCG regulatory processes applicable to cislunar and Mars frequency allocations
• Experience with Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols and contact graph routing for intermittent deep space link environments
• Experience with autonomous communications systems and fault management for deep space missions
• Experience supporting competitive proposal efforts for deep space exploration or government space programs
• Prior experience in an architect or chief engineer role with cross-functional technical leadership responsibilities
• Active TS//SCI security clearance

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end RF communications architectures for Mars and cislunar telecommunications programs, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), proximity links, relay crosslinks, and mission data links spanning Earth-to-Mars and Earth-to-Moon distances
• Lead architecture trades and system-level analyses to evaluate deep space frequency bands (S-, X-, Ka-band, and UHF), waveforms, link budgets, modulation and coding schemes, and high-gain antenna configurations optimized for extreme range and signal propagation environments
• Develop comprehensive deep-space link budgets and performance analyses that account for extreme distances, signal degradation, and latency challenges of interplanetary communications
• Develop and maintain communications architecture documentation including concept of operations (CONOPS), interface control documents (ICDs), and architecture definition documents (ADDs) aligned with NASA LunaNet, Moon-to-Mars (M2M), and CCSDS interoperability standards
• Collaborate with mission engineering, systems engineering, payload, and ground systems teams to ensure end-to-end communications compatibility and performance across Martian & cislunar relay network architectures
• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams, including spacecraft design, mechanical, thermal, power systems, and flight software, to ensure seamless integration, verification, and successful operation of deep space communications systems throughout the mission lifecycle
• Oversee the integration of high-gain antenna systems and advanced signal processing techniques to maximize data throughput across interplanetary distances
• Engage with government customers, program offices, commercial partners, and international stakeholders to capture requirements, present architectures, and influence program direction for deep space telecommunications infrastructure
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to RF and communications engineers across the Blue National Security organization
• Support proposal development, including technical volumes, basis of estimates, and architecture white papers for deep space telecommunications pursuits
• Identify and assess emerging RF and optical communications technologies, evolving deep space standards (e.g., CCSDS Proximity-1, LunaNet Interoperability Specification), and spectrum coordination frameworks relevant to Mars & cislunar mission environments
• Lead the technical development of delay/disruption-tolerant networking (DTN) protocols optimized for interplanetary communications
• Ensure compliance with applicable deep space spectrum regulations, ITU/NTIA frequency coordination requirements, NASA SCaN architecture standards, and ITAR
• Partner with the Mission Engineering & Architecture leadership team to align deep space communications architectures with broader mission and system-level strategies for Martian and lunar exploration

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 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal