Senior Thermal Engineer – Phased Array Antenna Systems

BLUE ORIGIN • Spokane, WA

7d • $156,802 - $219,522

About The Position

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 a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead the thermal design and analysis of advanced phased array antenna systems for both satellite payloads and ground-based user terminals. This role is central to ensuring reliable performance of high-power, high-frequency antenna systems operating across harsh orbital and terrestrial environments, including Q/V-band and beyond. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in thermal management of RF electronics, active phased arrays, and space-qualified hardware, along with the ability to drive cross-disciplinary design integration across mechanical, RF, digital, and power subsystems. This role offers the opportunity to shape next-generation satellite communication systems and high-performance ground terminals, enabling robust, high-capacity connectivity in increasingly demanding RF environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, Physics or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in thermal engineering for aerospace, RF systems, or high-performance electronics.
• Demonstrated experience with spaceborne thermal design, including vacuum environments, radiation heat transfer, and flight hardware qualification.
• Strong understanding of phased array antenna systems, including thermal challenges associated with dense T/R module integration and high-power densities.
• Experience with thermal modeling tools (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS Icepak, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of materials, coatings, and thermal interface technologies suitable for space and outdoor ground systems.
• Familiarity with environmental standards (e.g., NASA, ESA, MIL-STD) and qualification testing.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or PhD degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, Physics or related field
• Experience with Q/V-band or higher frequency RF systems and associated thermal constraints.
• Background in both space and terrestrial antenna systems, particularly electronically steered arrays.
• Experience with advanced cooling techniques, including loop heat pipes, vapor chambers, and liquid cooling systems.
• Experience supporting production scaling and cost optimization for phased array hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal architecture development for satellite-based phased array antennas, including active RF front ends, beamforming ICs, and associated power electronics.
• Design and optimize thermal solutions for ground-based phased array terminals operating under dynamic environmental conditions (solar loading, ambient extremes, precipitation, and installation variability).
• Develop detailed thermal models using tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, or equivalent, covering conduction, radiation, and convection regimes as appropriate.
• Define and manage thermal interfaces across payload subsystems, including radiators, heat pipes, loop heat pipes, cold plates, and structural elements.
• Perform transient and steady-state thermal analyses to validate performance under mission profiles, including peak RF duty cycles, eclipse transitions, and worst-case environmental conditions.
• Collaborate closely with RF, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure thermal constraints are integrated into antenna element layout, T/R module design, and packaging.
• Establish thermal requirements, margins, and verification plans aligned with mission reliability and lifetime goals.
• Support hardware development, including thermal testing, correlation of models to test data, and anomaly resolution.
• Drive thermal design trades balancing performance, mass, power consumption, manufacturability, and cost for both space and ground systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to organizational best practices in thermal engineering.

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: Senior