Senior RF Communications Engineer, Blue National Security (BNS)

BLUE ORIGIN•Huntsville, AL

4d•$144,179 - $201,850

About The Position

The Senior RF Communications Engineer is part of Blue National Security’s RF Communications team, supporting the design, development, and delivery of spacecraft systems for national security missions. The role has end-to-end ownership of next-generation spacecraft RF and optical communications systems, from analysis and design through manufacturing, test, and on-orbit operations. Responsibilities span system specifications, procurement, assembly, integration and test (AI&T), and mission support. The engineer leads technical work and contributes across the full subsystem lifecycle, supporting reusable spacecraft operations and next-generation communications solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical subject area.
At least 8 years of experience in avionics and communications systems development and verification.
Knowledge of communications-system design, radios, antennas, RF components, and waveforms.
Experience performing electromagnetic simulations using tools such as HFSS, CST, or TICRA to optimize antenna performance and coverage.
Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
Demonstrated leadership of technical teams, with an emphasis on mentoring junior engineers.
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 in Electrical Engineering or a related technical subject area.
Experience performing satellite link-budget simulations using mission-design tools such as ANSYS Systems Tool Kit (STK).
At least 5 years of experience with SATCOM, microwave line-of-sight, or other RF communications systems.
Knowledge of RF circuit design, layout, fabrication, and testing.
Proficiency in waveform design, algorithm development (including MATLAB/Simulink simulations), or networking.
Experience with software tools such as DOORS Next Generation, Cameo, Confluence, JIRA, Git, Creo, and Windchill.
Top Secret clearance is desired.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical lead for RF communications systems, mentor junior engineers, review technical products, participate in reviews, and author systems documentation.
Architect and deploy mission-critical RF communications systems from concept through checkout, enabling real-time telemetry, video, and data flows for reusable spacecraft operations.
Own end-to-end system performance, including link budgets, phase noise, coverage analyses, and requirements verification across all phases of flight.
Design and execute RF test campaigns in bench, integrated-system, and field environments to validate hardware against specifications and ensure interoperability.
Drive procurement strategy, including supplier vetting and selection and ongoing supplier management.
Define and maintain system architecture, including sizing, requirements derivation, and performance parameters for next-generation communications solutions.
Coordinate interfaces across space relay platforms, ground stations, and internal C&DH and payload subsystems to support end-to-end connectivity.
Own configuration control and documentation, including functional and logical diagrams, asset inventories, and procedures.
Support hardware integration labs, vehicle testing, peer reviews, and console operations during Launch and Early Operations.