Engineer - Mechanical III - Lunar Permanence, RF Antenna Mechanical Design

Application close date:

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!

As part of a hardworking team of engineers and technical designers, you will directly impact the history of space exploration and require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

This opportunity reports to the RF Systems group inside of the Lunar Permanence business unit. This Mechanical Engineering position covers the mechanical design, thermal and structural analysis, and test of flight RF antenna structures and associated RF electronics packaging. Primary hardware includes parabolic carbon fiber reflectors, horn antennas, and a variety of antennas used for lunar surface and cislunar missions. 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. Passion for our mission and vision is required. If you're excited by providing both near term and long-term value, solving novel problems, learning about interesting topics, and completing challenging projects, please apply!

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel not typically expected, but on an as need basis up to 15%

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 (PCBs, RF front ends, waveguides, and coax) 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 SteinbergorEngelmeiersolderfatigue
• 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 frontend electronics.
• Experience with composite structures (e.g., carbon fiber) including laminate design, bonding, and integration into precision assemblies
• Experience withrecent versions ofCreo, 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 testingincluding vibration, shock, and thermal cycle
• Experience with mentoring or training others

Compensation Range for:

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 (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

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.

• 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.

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 work force. 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. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

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