Principal Space RF Communications Architect

As a Principal Space RF Communications Architect within the Advanced Capabilities organization, you will serve as a senior technical authority responsible for defining and driving end‑to‑end RF communications architectures for National Security Space programs. You will shape the communications backbone of next‑generation space systems—from TT&C and cross links to mission data links—and influence program direction from concept through execution. This is a high‑impact, high‑visibility role at the forefront of Blue Origin’s national security mission.

• Preferred
  
  Location:
  
  Kent, WA (Seattle area). Candidates located in or willing to relocate to the Seattle area are strongly preferred. We will also consider candidates based at our Los Angeles, CA;
  Denver, CO; or Reston, VA offices.
• Relocation: Relocation assistance is available for candidates relocating to the Kent, WA area.
• Travel: Up to 25% travel may be required depending on work location and program needs.
• Clearance: An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance is required.
  TS//SCI is strongly preferred.

• Define and own end‑to‑end RF communications architectures for National Security Space programs, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C),
  cross links
  , 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

• 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

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Active TS//SCI security clearance
• Experience with protected/anti‑jam waveforms
  , low probability of intercept/detection (LPI/LPD) communications, or COMSEC/TRANSEC systems
• Familiarity with MILSATCOM systems, standards, and architectures (e.g., AEHF, WGS, SDA Transport Layer)
• Experience with optical/laser communications as a complement to RF architectures
• Knowledge of spectrum management
  , frequency coordination, and ITU/NTIA regulatory processes
• Experience supporting competitive proposal efforts for classified government programs
• Prior experience in an architect or chief…