Blue Origin
Engineer - Mechanical III - Lunar Permanence, RF Antenna Mechanical Design
Blue Origin, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
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. This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Moon landers and related products. You will work as a member of the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) program team and will play a key role in developing the Lunar Transportation systems that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth.
Special Mentions
Relocation provided
Travel not typically expected, but on an as‑needed basis up to 15%
Responsibilities
Contribute as a member of a cross‑disciplinary team in a fast‑paced design environment
Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission‑critical RF antenna systems and associated mechanical structures
Support developmental trade studies for RF antenna mechanical design, materials, mounting concepts, and thermal/structural design approaches
Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents for parabolic reflectors, horn antennas, patch antennas, and their supporting structures
Collaborate with RF and electrical engineering teams to integrate horns, feed networks, patch arrays, and RF electronics into mechanically robust antenna assemblies, including detailed thermal and structural analyses of these components
Design antenna reflectors, horns, patch arrays, and RF electronics packaging for performance, RF stability, and high reliability under launch, transit, and lunar surface environments
Create 3D CAD models and assemblies of parabolic carbon fiber reflectors, horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, and supporting structures; generate part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and other required technical documentation
Build and evaluate prototype antenna assemblies and iterate designs based on RF, structural, and thermal performance test data
Create assembly aids, metrology fixtures, and RF/structural test fixtures to verify antenna alignment, surface accuracy, and mechanical performance
Plan and conduct engineering tests (vibration, shock, thermal cycle, and thermal vacuum) of antenna structures, and lead data reviews to assess structural margins, thermal performance, and RF‑relevant deformations
Review assembly instructions and support hardware builds for antenna structures, composite reflectors, and RF electronics packaging, including bond and fastener processes
Validate antenna mechanical and thermal requirements through design, detailed structural/thermal analysis, test, and inspection, including surface accuracy and alignment requirements that drive RF performance
Support Production and Quality Engineering by dispositioning material defects and nonconformances on antenna structures, composite laminates, machined horns, and RF packaging hardware
Manage revisions of antenna and RF packaging design configurations through the product lifecycle
Minimum Qualifications
B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
5+ years of experience designing aerospace antenna structures, RF hardware packaging, or similar high‑performance, flight‑qualified mechanical hardware
Experience with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analysis of antenna or similar precision structures (level commensurate with experience)
Experience with 3D CAD modeling programs (Creo preferred)
Experience with FEA tools (Ansys preferred)
Experience with Steinberg or Engelmeier solder fatigue
Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5)
Ability to be self‑directed and balance several projects at one time
History of communicating design concepts and analysis results effectively
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following disciplines: parabolic reflector antennas (preferably composite/carbon fiber), horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, RF radios and amplifiers, and RF front‑end electronics
Experience with composite structures (e.g., carbon fiber) including laminate design, bonding, and integration into precision assemblies
Experience with recent versions of Creo, Windchill, Ansys Mechanical
Experience with fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics
Experience with aerospace industry standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Marks’, Shigley, Steinberg, Roark’s)
Experience with environmental testing including vibration, shock, and thermal cycle
Experience with mentoring or training others
Compensation Range For WA Applicants $117,498.00‑$164,497.20
Benefits
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
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
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 (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training
Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical
Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated workforce. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Do not include any personal medical information in your request.
California Applicant Privacy Notice If you are a California resident, please reference the California Applicant Privacy Notice here.
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Special Mentions
Relocation provided
Travel not typically expected, but on an as‑needed basis up to 15%
Responsibilities
Contribute as a member of a cross‑disciplinary team in a fast‑paced design environment
Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission‑critical RF antenna systems and associated mechanical structures
Support developmental trade studies for RF antenna mechanical design, materials, mounting concepts, and thermal/structural design approaches
Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents for parabolic reflectors, horn antennas, patch antennas, and their supporting structures
Collaborate with RF and electrical engineering teams to integrate horns, feed networks, patch arrays, and RF electronics into mechanically robust antenna assemblies, including detailed thermal and structural analyses of these components
Design antenna reflectors, horns, patch arrays, and RF electronics packaging for performance, RF stability, and high reliability under launch, transit, and lunar surface environments
Create 3D CAD models and assemblies of parabolic carbon fiber reflectors, horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, and supporting structures; generate part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and other required technical documentation
Build and evaluate prototype antenna assemblies and iterate designs based on RF, structural, and thermal performance test data
Create assembly aids, metrology fixtures, and RF/structural test fixtures to verify antenna alignment, surface accuracy, and mechanical performance
Plan and conduct engineering tests (vibration, shock, thermal cycle, and thermal vacuum) of antenna structures, and lead data reviews to assess structural margins, thermal performance, and RF‑relevant deformations
Review assembly instructions and support hardware builds for antenna structures, composite reflectors, and RF electronics packaging, including bond and fastener processes
Validate antenna mechanical and thermal requirements through design, detailed structural/thermal analysis, test, and inspection, including surface accuracy and alignment requirements that drive RF performance
Support Production and Quality Engineering by dispositioning material defects and nonconformances on antenna structures, composite laminates, machined horns, and RF packaging hardware
Manage revisions of antenna and RF packaging design configurations through the product lifecycle
Minimum Qualifications
B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
5+ years of experience designing aerospace antenna structures, RF hardware packaging, or similar high‑performance, flight‑qualified mechanical hardware
Experience with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analysis of antenna or similar precision structures (level commensurate with experience)
Experience with 3D CAD modeling programs (Creo preferred)
Experience with FEA tools (Ansys preferred)
Experience with Steinberg or Engelmeier solder fatigue
Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5)
Ability to be self‑directed and balance several projects at one time
History of communicating design concepts and analysis results effectively
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following disciplines: parabolic reflector antennas (preferably composite/carbon fiber), horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, RF radios and amplifiers, and RF front‑end electronics
Experience with composite structures (e.g., carbon fiber) including laminate design, bonding, and integration into precision assemblies
Experience with recent versions of Creo, Windchill, Ansys Mechanical
Experience with fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics
Experience with aerospace industry standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Marks’, Shigley, Steinberg, Roark’s)
Experience with environmental testing including vibration, shock, and thermal cycle
Experience with mentoring or training others
Compensation Range For WA Applicants $117,498.00‑$164,497.20
Benefits
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
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
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 (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training
Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical
Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated workforce. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Do not include any personal medical information in your request.
California Applicant Privacy Notice If you are a California resident, please reference the California Applicant Privacy Notice here.
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