Senior Reflector/Feed Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin • Bay Area, WA

11h

About The Position

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! As a Senior Antenna Engineer, you will design the physical hardware that forms the backbone of our in-space communication network. You will be a foundational member of a new, in-house team tasked with creating the next generation of high-frequency antennas for Blue Origin’s space vehicles. This is a unique opportunity to own the antenna system design from the ground up, making critical architectural decisions that will directly impact our ability to communicate in deep space. Join our dynamic team as a Reflector Engineer, where you will play a key role in the design, analysis, simulation, testing, and integration of high-performance reflector antenna systems for our next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. In this role, you will address complex technical challenges related to reflector geometries, feeds, and RF performance, ensuring reliable, high-throughput connectivity for users worldwide.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 7+ years of experience in RF antenna design, or M.S./Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience.
• Deep understanding of electromagnetic theory and its application to high-gain reflector systems (Cassegrain, Gregorian, or Offset geometries) and aperture efficiency optimization.
• Proven track record of leading a reflector antenna or complex feed system project from initial concept through hardware realization.
• Proficiency with Physical Optics (PO) and GTD tools (e.g., TICRA/GRASP) for large-aperture analysis, as well as full-wave 3D solvers (e.g., HFSS, CST).
• Practical experience designing dual-circular polarized (CP) feed systems, specifically focusing on axial ratio performance and port-to-port isolation.
• Familiarity with mm-Wave measurement techniques (70 GHz+) including far-field or near-field anechoic chamber testing and VNA calibration for high-frequency waveguide interfaces.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a research focus on mm-Wave Electromagnetics, Antennas, or Quasi-optics.
• Direct experience designing flight hardware for the 71–76 GHz (Downlink) and 81–86 GHz (Uplink) bands, including an understanding of orbital thermal stability.
• Specialized design experience with Orthomode Transducers (OMTs), septum polarizers, corrugated feed horns, and high-rejection diplexers for TX/RX separation.
• Demonstrated ability to perform POGO/Sensitivity analysis on reflector surface RMS errors and feed alignment tolerances.
• Experience with precision fabrication for E-band components, such as CNC micro-milling, Diffusion Bonding, or Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) of RF components.
• Knowledge of low-CTE materials (e.g., Invar, Graphite-Cyanate Ester) and their impact on RF performance across extreme temperature gradients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and trade-off analysis of high-gain reflector systems (e.g., Cassegrain, Gregorian, or Offset-fed) to meet stringent gain, beamwidth, and sidelobe requirements at E-band.
• Own the end-to-end design of the mm-Wave feed system, including high-efficiency corrugated horns, Orthomode Transducers (OMTs), and diplexers to support simultaneous dual-circular polarization for uplink (81–86 GHz) and downlink (71–76 GHz).
• Utilize Physical Optics (PO) and Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) tools (e.g., GRASP/TICRA) alongside Full-Wave solvers (HFSS/CST) to model large-aperture performance and spillover efficiency.
• Perform critical sensitivity studies on mechanical tolerances, including reflector surface RMS errors, feed alignment/vertex offsets, and thermal-induced structural deformations.
• Partner with Mechanical and Thermal engineers to select low-CTE materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., EDM, precision milling) that maintain electrical performance in space environments.
• Define test plans and lead the RF characterization of flight hardware in anechoic chambers, focusing on axial ratio, isolation, and high-frequency gain patterns.
• Interface with specialized mm-Wave fabrication vendors to ensure design-for-manufacturability and oversee the transition from initial EM concept to flight-ready hardware.

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.
• 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: Senior