Blue Origin

PLL IC Design Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin$230K — $322K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline
  • 7+ years designing fractional-N PLLs and DLLs in advanced FinFET CMOS nodes
  • Experience with PLL building blocks like VCOs and high-speed pre-scalers
  • Familiarity with clock domain synchronization for systems involving multiple PLLs
  • Extensive mixed-mode modeling and simulation experience using tools like MATLAB and Spectre

Responsibilities

  • Own the design of PLLs and clock distribution circuits focusing on performance optimization
  • Develop high-performance PLL circuits using Spectre and AMS flows
  • Collaborate with RF and SOC architects to define PLL requirements
  • Oversee layout and verification for successful tape-out cycle
  • Work with validation engineers to optimize performance and ensure production reliability
  • Investigate and implement analog building blocks to enhance circuit performance
  • Mentor junior engineers on best practices in analog design

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave
  • 401(k) with up to 5% company match
  • Education Support Program
  • Stock Options for regular employees
  • Paid Time Off up to four weeks per year and 14 company-paid holidays
Full Job Description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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 an IC Design Engineer to work on the development of integrated Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) and clocking systems in advanced CMOS/SiGe processes. This role is essential for advancing our technology offerings in space communication systems. You will be responsible for delivering state-of-the-art performance while contributing to innovative solutions that drive Blue Origin's mission of enabling millions to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.

Special Mentions:

- Relocation provided

- Travel expected up to 10% of the time

- Interviews will include a technical assessment

- This role will be based onsite in San Diego, CA; Bay Area, CA; or Renton, WA. A temporary remote work exception is approved while our Bay Area and San Diego sites are being developed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Owning the system and circuit design of PLLs and clock distribution circuits in advanced CMOS technologies, focusing on performance optimization and trade-off analysis (phase noise / jitter, power, etc.).
  • Utilizing full proficiency in Spectre and AMS flows to develop high-performance PLL circuits.
  • Collaborating with RF and SOC system architects and chip leads to define requirements for PLLs and their sub-blocks based on system specifications.
  • Overseeing layout, top-level integration, floorplanning, and verification of the overall design for successful tape-out cycle.
  • Working closely with validation and product engineers to develop test plans, facilitate bring-up, optimize performance, and ensure reliable & high-yield production cycles.
  • Investigating and implementing fundamental analog building blocks to enhance overall circuit performance
  • Mentoring junior engineers for best design practices in analog domain.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline
  • 7+ years of experience in the design and development of fractional-N PLLs, DLLs, and their sub-circuits in FinFET CMOS nodes such as 7n or more advanced.
  • Extensive experience in the design of PLL building blocks such as VCOs, high-speed integer and frac-N pre-scalers, PFDs, charge-pumps, etc.
  • Experience with clock domain synchronization techniques within systems involving multiple PLLs and/or clock domains.
  • Experience with clock distribution circuit design techniques and optimization, including clock trees, frequency multipliers and dividers, CML buffers, inductive peaking, etc.
  • Full proficiency in mixed-mode modeling, simulation, and verification methodologies using toolsets such as MATLAB, Spectre, SystemVerilog, and AMS.
  • Extensive experience in PLL silicon characterization and debugging.
  • Proficiency in the design of fundamental analog/RF building blocks, including amplifiers, filters, clock buffers, and bias generators.
  • 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering related technical discipline
  • Strong expertise in loop design for phase noise/jitter, spur profile, area, and power optimization.
  • Experience designing All-Digital PLLs (ADPLL) and or sub-sampling PLLs is a plus.
  • Experience with fundamental analog building blocks such as LDOs, and operational amplifiers.
  • Fundamental understanding of device physics for process selection and performance optimization.
  • Familiarity with digital design, digital verification, and SystemVerilog modeling.

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85 WA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85

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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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