ForgeApply
Try it free

ForgeApply · Job listing

Reflector/Feed Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin

Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA, US$165k – $231konsite

Tailor your resume to this posting in about a minute.

ForgeApply tailors your resume and cover letter to this exact posting, then hands you a ready-to-submit application for Blue Origin's site. Free trial, no card required.

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 an Antenna Engineer III to design, develop, and optimize high-frequency reflector antenna systems for next-generation space communications platforms. In this role, you will contribute to the development of mission-critical antenna architectures enabling high-capacity communications across deep-space, GEO, MEO, and LEO networks. You will work at the intersection of electromagnetics, RF engineering, mechanical design, and aerospace systems, developing high-performance antenna solutions that deliver exceptional gain, efficiency, and reliability in demanding space environments.

Core Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Design and develop high-gain reflector antenna systems, including Cassegrain, Gregorian, and offset-fed architectures, to meet stringent gain, beamwidth, sidelobe, and polarization requirements at E-band frequencies.

• Design and optimize mm-Wave feed systems, including corrugated horns, orthomode transducers (OMTs), diplexers, and dual-circularly polarized feed chains supporting 71-76 GHz downlink and 81-86 GHz uplink operation.

• Perform electromagnetic modeling and simulation using physical optics, geometrical theory of diffraction, and full-wave analysis tools to optimize aperture efficiency, illumination taper, spillover performance, and antenna gain.

• Conduct mechanical, thermal, and RF sensitivity analyses to evaluate the effects of surface RMS error, feed misalignment, structural deformation, and thermal distortion on overall antenna performance.

• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to select materials, fabrication processes, and structural architectures that preserve RF performance throughout launch and space operations.

• Develop antenna verification plans and support laboratory and anechoic chamber testing, including gain, pattern, polarization purity, axial ratio, isolation, and near-field/far-field characterization.

• Support hardware development from initial concept through fabrication, integration, qualification, and flight readiness while coordinating with external vendors and manufacturing partners.

• Contribute to system-level architecture trade studies and communications link budget analysis to ensure antenna designs satisfy mission requirements and network performance objectives.

Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of professional experience in antenna, RF, microwave, or electromagnetic systems engineering.

• Experience designing, analyzing, and testing reflector antenna systems and associated feed architectures.

• Proficiency with electromagnetic simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, or TICRA GRASP.

• Strong understanding of antenna theory, electromagnetics, polarization, and RF measurement techniques.

Preferred Qualifications • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on antennas, electromagnetics, or microwave engineering.

• Experience with mm-Wave or E-band antenna systems.

• Experience designing feed components such as corrugated horns, OMTs, polarizers, or waveguide structures.

• Familiarity with antenna testing in anechoic chamber environments, including near-field and far-field measurements.

• Experience developing hardware for aerospace, satellite communications, or other high-reliability systems.

  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.

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 req

Salary insight

The midpoint of this range ($198k) is right around the median disclosed salary for San Francisco roles listed on ForgeApply ($201k across 6,700 jobs).

Based on live postings with disclosed pay on ForgeApply; refreshed daily. Not an estimate of this employer's offer.

Ready to apply to Blue Origin?

Tailor my resume for this role

Similar jobs

More like this: More jobs at Blue Origin · Browse all jobs