Spacecraft Harness Design Engineer II - TeraWave

BLUE ORIGIN•Los Angeles, WA

1d•$98,208 - $149,990

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! 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. This is a unique opportunity to design harness systems for a mega-constellation of 5,408 satellites, where manufacturability, cost optimization, and production rate are first-order design drivers from day one. You will work across every subsystem on the vehicle — EPS power distribution, flight computer C&DH, GNC sensors, propulsion, solar array, RF and optical payloads, and thermal management — giving you broad spacecraft-level visibility that few harness roles offer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
3+ years of experience in spacecraft or satellite harness design, cable routing, or electrical integration
Demonstrated experience producing harness assembly drawings, installation drawings, and connector pin assignment documentation
Hands-on experience with BID/WID development and interface coordination across multiple subsystems
Proficiency with electrical harness CAD tools (Creo Cabling / Routed Systems, Zuken, Capital Harness, Mentor/Siemens, or equivalent)
Working knowledge of harness fabrication standards
Understanding of EMI/EMC principles as applied to harness segregation, shielding, and grounding
Familiarity with connector systems used in space applications (Micro-D, Nano-D, D-sub, circular MIL-DTL-38999, MIL-DTL-83513, etc.)
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, Block diagrams, and interface control documents

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience in spacecraft harness design with at least one program through full lifecycle
Experience with Creo Cabling / Routed Systems and Windchill PLM for harness configuration management
Direct experience designing harnesses for satellite constellations or high-rate spacecraft or automotive production environments
Experience with high-voltage (>50V) spacecraft power harness design
Experience with harness weight optimization techniques for mass-constrained spacecraft
Background in harness-level or system-level signal integrity analysis for high-speed data interfaces (Ethernet, SpaceWire, LVDS)
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent harness designs in a fast-paced environment
Experience supporting harness fabrication shops — reviewing first articles, dispositioning nonconformances, and developing rework procedures

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and release spacecraft wire harness assemblies for bus, payload, and integration applications across the TeraWave satellite constellation
Develop Bundle Interconnect Diagrams (BIDs) and Wire Interconnect Diagrams (WIDs) in coordination with LRU/box owners across all subsystems (avionics, propulsion, GNC, RF payload, optical payload, solar array, thermal)
Produce harness engineering drawings including harness assembly drawings, installation drawings, and connector pin assignment drawings
Create and maintain 3D harness routing models in Creo/Windchill, performing interference checks, bend radius verification, and mass/length estimation
Work to harness specifications, workmanship standards, and design requirements aligned with Blue Origin command media
Select connectors, backshells, contacts, and interconnect hardware appropriate for the space environment (vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, vibration)
Define connector keying, clocking, and pin assignments to ensure proper mating and prevent misconnection during integration
Specify shielding termination methods (360° backshell termination, pigtail, drain wire) based on EMI/EMC requirements and signal type
Perform harness-related analyses including voltage drop, wire derating, current capacity, weight estimation, and thermal dissipation
Support EMI/EMC analysis for harness segregation planning — separate power, signal, and RF runs per the Electromagnetic Effects Control Plan
Coordinate with manufacturing engineering on harness fabrication — support make/buy decisions, develop build instructions, and resolve production issues
Support harness fabrication to specified workmanship standards
Develop test procedures for harness acceptance testing (continuity, hipot, insulation resistance, megohm)
Support vehicle integration and test — troubleshoot harness anomalies, process redlines, and support connector mate/demate operations
Design harnesses for manufacturability and rate production — minimize harness variants, standardize connector families, and optimize for assembly time at constellation scale (5,408 satellites)