Senior Reflector/Feed Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

Application close date:

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 aSenior 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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Architectural Design: 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.
• Feed Chain Development: 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).
• EM Simulation & Modeling: 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.
• Precision Tolerance Analysis: Perform critical sensitivity studies on mechanical tolerances, including reflector surface RMS errors, feed alignment/vertex offsets, and thermal-induced structural deformations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: 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.
• Test & Verification: Define test plans and lead the RF characterization of flight hardware in anechoic chambers, focusing on axial ratio, isolation, and high-frequency gain patterns.
• Vendor & Lifecycle Management: Interface with specialized mm-Wave fabrication vendors to ensure design-for-manufacturability and oversee the transition from initial EM concept to flight-ready hardware.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 7+ years of experience in RF antenna design, or M.S./Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience.
• Electromagnetic Expertise: Deep understanding of electromagnetic theory and its application to high-gain reflector systems (Cassegrain, Gregorian, or Offset geometries) and aperture efficiency optimization.
• Design Leadership: Proven track record of leading a reflector antenna or complex feed system project from initial concept through hardware realization.
• Simulation Toolset: 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).
• Feed Chain Fundamentals: Practical experience designing dual-circular polarized (CP) feed systems, specifically focusing on axial ratio performance and port-to-port isolation.
• Test & Measurement: 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: 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.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.