Blue Origin

Reflector/Feed Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin$164K — $230K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 7+ years RF antenna experience, or M.S./Ph.D. with 5+ years.
  • Deep understanding of electromagnetics applied to reflector geometries.
  • Proven track record of leading reflector or complex feed-system programs from concept to delivery.
  • Proficiency with PO/GTD simulation tools (TICRA/GRASP) and full-wave solvers (HFSS, CST).
  • Experience in designing dual-circular polarization feed systems with excellent axial-ratio and isolation.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and trade studies for high-gain reflector systems at E-band.
  • Own the mm-Wave feed chain, including design of corrugated horns and diplexers.
  • Model large-aperture performance using simulation tools and optimize aperture efficiency.
  • Perform mechanical and thermal sensitivity analyses on key parameters.
  • Collaborate with Mechanical and Thermal teams for material and process selection.
  • Establish test plans and lead anechoic chamber characterization of flight hardware.
  • Interface with vendors to ensure manufacturability and manage hardware progression.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
  • Paid parental leave and disability coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with company match up to 5%.
  • Stock options available for all regular employees.
  • Generous paid time off, including up to four weeks per year and 14 company holidays.
Full Job Description

Application close date:

07/7/2026

You will lead the design and development of high‑frequency reflector antenna systems that form the core of Blue Origin’s in‑space communication architecture. This role owns the antenna system end‑to‑end—from concept and architecture through analysis, simulation, fabrication, and flight qualification. You will make decisions that directly determine deep‑space and LEO constellation communication performance.

Responsibilities:
  • Reflector Architecture — Lead design and trade studies for high‑gain reflector systems (Cassegrain, Gregorian, Offset‑fed) meeting strict gain, beamwidth, and sidelobe requirements at E‑band.

  • Feed System Development — Own the mm‑Wave feed chain, including corrugated horns, OMTs, and diplexers supporting dual‑circular polarization for 71–76 GHz (downlink) and 81–86 GHz (uplink).

  • EM Simulation — Model large‑aperture performance using PO/GTD tools (GRASP/TICRA) and full‑wave solvers (HFSS/CST), optimizing spillover, illumination, and aperture efficiency.

  • Tolerance & Sensitivity — Perform mechanical and thermal sensitivity analyses on surface RMS error, feed alignment, vertex offsets, and structural deformation.

  • Cross‑Functional Integration — Work with Mechanical and Thermal teams to select low‑CTE materials and manufacturing processes that preserve RF performance in space environments.

  • Test & Verification — Define test plans and lead anechoic‑chamber characterization of flight hardware, focusing on axial ratio, isolation, and high‑frequency gain patterns.

  • Vendor & Build Management — Interface with specialized E‑band fabrication vendors, ensuring manufacturability and guiding hardware from EM concept to flight‑ready configuration.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Education — B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years RF antenna experience, or M.S./Ph.D. with 3+ years.

  • Electromagnetics — Deep understanding of EM theory applied to reflector geometries and aperture efficiency optimization.

  • Design Leadership — Demonstrated ownership of a reflector or complex feed‑system program from concept through hardware delivery.

  • Simulation Tools — Proficiency with PO/GTD tools (TICRA/GRASP) and 3D full‑wave solvers (HFSS, CST).

  • Feed Chain Expertise — Experience designing dual‑CP feed systems with strong axial‑ratio and isolation performance.

  • mm‑Wave Testing — Familiarity with 70+ GHz measurement techniques, including far‑field/near‑field testing and waveguide‑band VNA calibration.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced Degree — Ph.D. in EE with focus on mm‑Wave EM, antennas, or quasi‑optics.

  • E‑Band Flight Heritage — Experience designing hardware for 71–76 / 81–86 GHz space systems, including thermal‑stability considerations.

  • Component‑Level Specialization — Expertise with OMTs, septum polarizers, corrugated horns, and high‑rejection diplexers.

  • Tolerance & POGO Analysis — Demonstrated ability to analyze reflector surface RMS and feed alignment sensitivities.

  • Advanced Manufacturing — Experience with CNC micro‑milling, diffusion bonding, or additive manufacturing for E‑band components.

  • Material Science — Knowledge of low‑CTE materials (Invar, graphite‑cyanate ester) and their RF behavior across extreme thermal gradients.


Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80 WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80

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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