Principal mmWave IC Design Engineer - TeraWave
About The Position
Blue Origin is seeking a Principal mmWave IC Design Engineer to develop RF/mmWave integrated chips for TeraWave, its satellite communications network. The role focuses on designing integrated front-end circuits at RF/mmWave frequencies, primarily using advanced silicon technologies, to support next-generation communication networks. The position is based onsite in San Diego, California, or Cupertino, California. A temporary remote-work exception is approved while the San Diego site is being developed. Relocation is provided, and travel of up to 10% is expected. Interviews include a technical assessment. The engineer will partner with RF system engineers to assess feasibility and architect transmitter and receiver front-ends, translating system-level requirements into chip-level specifications. The role also includes on-chip electromagnetic design, collaboration with package engineering on IC/package co-optimization, supervision of front-end integration and optimization through production, and work with third-party design partners. The position requires at least 10 years of millimeter-wave/RFIC design experience and successful completion of multiple high-volume chipset product lifecycles. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. citizenship, permanent-residency, refugee, or asylum status requirement. The base pay range for California applicants is $269,175.00–$376,843.95; ranges at other sites may differ.
Requirements
- B.S. or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- At least 10 years of millimeter-wave/RFIC design experience using SiGe, CMOS, and SOI technologies, including successful completion of multiple high-volume chipset product lifecycles.
- Strong experience with circuit topologies for amplifiers, mixers, switches, and synthesizers, particularly at mmWave frequencies with fully integrated on-chip implementations.
- Expertise analyzing and optimizing 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 on-chip and package components.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with beamforming front-ends and phased-array implementations.
- Experience in high-performance IC development using III-V technologies such as GaAs or 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.
Responsibilities
- Design 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 on feasibility studies and architecture for RF/mmWave transmitter and receiver front-ends, translating system requirements into chip-level specifications.
- Design and simulate on-chip electromagnetic structures.
- Collaborate with the package engineering team to co-optimize IC/package interfaces.
- Supervise chip-level front-end integration and optimization throughout development and ensure successful production.
- Work with third-party design partners.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Basic and supplemental life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Short- and long-term disability
- 401(k) with company match of up to 5%
- Education Support Program
- Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
- Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
- Up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Relocation provided
- Potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on role type, job level, and other factors; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
