Director - TeraWave RF Payloads

About this role

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. 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.

We are seeking a Director to lead the development of a next-generation satellite communications payload including the Phase Array Antenna and RF gateways, from concept through manufacturing transfer. This leader will own a multidisciplinary team responsible for hardware architecture and design development, embedded software development, systems integration, validation, and production readiness.

Responsibilities: • Lead hardware, embedded software, and systems engineering teams developing compact, rugged, high-performance communications terminals. • Define product architecture across RF, digital, power, thermal, mechanical, firmware, and manufacturing domains. • Drive execution from prototype to high-volume production, including design for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and cost. • Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to select components, qualify suppliers, and transfer designs to a contract manufacturer or develop assembly processes. • Establish program plans, technical milestones, risk management, and cross-functional coordination with operations, quality, and product management. • Own system-level integration, bring-up, debugging, and validation strategy for hardware and firmware. • Ensure embedded software supports secure boot, device provisioning, field updates, telemetry, diagnostics, and factory test. • Build and mentor a high-performing team of engineers and technical leads. • Manage external partners, including contract manufacturers, test labs, and specialist consultants. • Create and maintain engineering processes for requirements management, change control, verification, and release readiness.

Qualifications: • 10+ years of experience in hardware and embedded systems development, with at least 6 years leading technical teams. • Proven success bringing complex connected hardware products from prototype to mass production. • Strong background in RF design, embedded systems, board design, system integration, and production test. • Experience working with contract manufacturers and driving design transfer to manufacturing. • Experience with RF-enabled products, high-speed digital design, power electronics, thermal design, and ruggedized consumer or industrial hardware. • Experience with Linux-based embedded platforms, real-time constraints, boot flows, device provisioning, and firmware update mechanisms. • Strong understanding of reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and failure analysis. • Ability to lead across hardware, firmware, operations, and quality functions in a fast-paced environment. • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a track record of delivering on aggressive timelines.

Preferred Qualifications: • Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical or software engineering, or related field. • Experience with satellite communications, antenna systems, phased arrays, or wireless networking hardware. • Background in secure hardware, cryptography, anti-tamper, or device identity systems. • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements for consumer electronics and radio products. • Experience scaling production from low-volume engineering builds to millions of units. • Hands-on experience with manufacturing test development and factory yield improvement.

  Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $272,861.00 - $382,004.70
WA applicants is $272,861.00 - $382,004.70 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, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training. • Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to

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