Systems Engineer III (RF / Microwave Systems)

Blue Origin•Littleton, CO

About The Position

Blue National Security (BNS) is focused on the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Within the Special Programs organization, this individual contributor role supports mission engineering and architecture for advanced space-based capabilities. The team develops next-generation space systems for demanding defense challenges, including capabilities associated with Blue Ring, Blue Origin’s hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft. The Systems Engineer III develops and maintains system-level requirements for advanced space-based sensing systems, conducts architecture trade studies and analyses, and prepares and reviews systems engineering documentation. The role works across payload, spacecraft, ground systems, and mission operations; supports design reviews and R&D milestones; and performs UHF RF and antenna assessments. It also involves engaging with government customers and mission partners, translating operational needs into requirements, and supporting risk mitigation and technical performance tracking. Relocation assistance is available. Travel is expected to be up to 10%. An active TS//SCI security clearance is required before starting. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. citizenship or immigration-status criteria. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of systems engineering experience in the aerospace, defense, or national security domain.
Demonstrated experience with UHF-band antenna design, including analysis of gain, beamwidth, polarization, and impedance matching in space or airborne environments.
Experience with phased array antenna systems, including electronically steered arrays (ESAs) at UHF frequencies.
Proficiency in RF system performance analysis, including link budgets and system noise figure calculations.
Experience developing and managing system-level requirements using requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent.
Familiarity with systems engineering processes and standards, such as NASA/DoD systems engineering frameworks, MIL-STD-499, or equivalent.
Experience with space-based RF sensing or surveillance system architectures.
Familiarity with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) or Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) signal processing concepts and their implications for system design.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical documentation and present to different audiences.
Active TS//SCI security clearance required before start.
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, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Experience with radar system performance modeling tools such as MATLAB, STK, or custom simulation environments.
Familiarity with space environment effects on RF systems, including ionospheric propagation, Faraday rotation, and thermal cycling impacts on antenna structures.
Prior experience working within a Special Programs or classified program environment.
Experience interfacing with DoD or Intelligence Community (IC) customers.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain system-level requirements for advanced space-based sensing systems, ensuring traceability from mission objectives through subsystem specifications.
Conduct system architecture trade studies and analyses to evaluate design alternatives, performance margins, and technical feasibility.
Author and review systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPs), System Requirements Documents (SRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs).
Collaborate with payload, spacecraft, ground systems, and mission operations teams to ensure end-to-end system coherence.
Support design reviews and provide technical inputs to R&D program milestones.
Perform link budget analyses and RF system performance assessments relevant to space-based sensing architectures.
Study, analyze, and optimize UHF-band antenna systems, including aperture sizing, beam pattern characterization, polarization, and gain/noise performance in the space environment.
Evaluate antenna integration trades, including deployable structures, phased array configurations, and feed network design at UHF frequencies.
Engage with government customers and mission partners to understand operational needs and translate them into actionable system requirements.
Support risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical performance measurement (TPM) tracking throughout the program lifecycle.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
Education Support Program.
Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
Paid time off of up to four weeks per year, based on weekly scheduled hours.
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions or other factors, subject to company discretion; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.
Relocation assistance is available.