Principal Space RF Communications Architect

BLUE ORIGIN

. Define and own end-to-end RF communications architectures for National Security Space programs, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), crosslinks, and mission data links .

Posted 5/13/2026full-timeGreater Seattle Area • California, Colorado, Virginia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $160,618 - $237,473 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

TypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and own end-to-end RF communications architectures for National Security Space programs, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), crosslinks, and mission data links
Lead architecture trades and system-level analyses to evaluate frequency bands, waveforms, link budgets, modulation schemes, and antenna configurations
Develop and maintain communications architecture documentation including concept of operations (CONOPS), interface control documents (ICDs), and architecture definition documents (ADDs)
Collaborate with mission engineering, systems engineering, payload, and ground systems teams to ensure end-to-end communications compatibility and performance
Engage with government customers, program offices, and external stakeholders to capture requirements, present architectures, and influence program direction
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to RF and communications engineers across the Advanced Capabilities organization
Support proposal development, including technical volumes, basis of estimates, and architecture white papers for National Security Space pursuits
Identify and assess emerging RF technologies, standards, and threat environments relevant to national security space communications
Ensure compliance with applicable government standards, spectrum regulations, and security requirements (e.g., COMSEC, TRANSEC, ITAR)
Partner with the Mission Engineering & Architecture leadership team to align communications architectures with broader mission and system-level strategies

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
12+ years of experience in RF systems engineering, communications systems design, or related disciplines, with demonstrated experience in space systems
Demonstrated experience designing and/or architecting TT&C, crosslink, and/or mission data link systems for space vehicles or satellites
Proficiency in RF link budget analysis, waveform design, modulation/coding, and antenna systems
Experience working on National Security Space programs and familiarity with associated government customers
Strong technical communication skills with the ability to present complex architectures to both technical and executive audiences
Experience developing architecture documentation and contributing to proposal efforts
Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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%
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
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

RF systems engineeringcommunications systems designTT&C systems designcrosslink systems designmission data link systems designRF link budget analysiswaveform designmodulationcodingantenna systems

Soft Skills

technical leadershipmentorshiptechnical communicationcollaborationstakeholder engagement

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical EngineeringBachelor's degree in Aerospace EngineeringBachelor's degree in PhysicsTop Secret (TS) security clearance