Reflector/Feed Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

About the role

You will lead the design and development of high-frequency reflector antenna systems that form the core of Blue Origin’s in-space communication architecture. This role owns the antenna system end-to-end—from concept and architecture through analysis, simulation, fabrication, and flight qualification. You will make decisions that directly determine deep-space and LEO constellation communication performance.

Responsibilities

• Reflector Architecture — Lead design and trade studies for high-gain reflector systems (Cassegrain, Gregorian, Offset-fed) meeting strict gain, beamwidth, and sidelobe requirements at E-band.
• Feed System Development — Own the mm-Wave feed chain, including corrugated horns, OMTs, and diplexers supporting dual-circular polarization for 71–76 GHz (downlink) and 81–86 GHz (uplink).
• EM Simulation — Model large-aperture performance using PO/GTD tools (GRASP/TICRA) and full-wave solvers (HFSS/CST), optimizing spillover, illumination, and aperture efficiency.
• Tolerance & Sensitivity — Perform mechanical and thermal sensitivity analyses on surface RMS error, feed alignment, vertex offsets, and structural deformation.
• Cross-Functional Integration — Work with Mechanical and Thermal teams to select low-CTE materials and manufacturing processes that preserve RF performance in space environments.
• Test & Verification — Define test plans and lead anechoic-chamber characterization of flight hardware, focusing on axial ratio, isolation, and high-frequency gain patterns.
• Vendor & Build Management — Interface with specialized E-band fabrication vendors, ensuring manufacturability and guiding hardware from EM concept to flight-ready configuration.

Qualifications

• Education — B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years RF antenna experience, or M.S./Ph.D. with 3+ years.
• Electromagnetics — Deep understanding of EM theory applied to reflector geometries and aperture efficiency optimization.
• Design Leadership — Demonstrated ownership of a reflector or complex feed-system program from concept through hardware delivery.
• Simulation Tools — Proficiency with PO/GTD tools (TICRA/GRASP) and 3D full-wave solvers (HFSS, CST).
• Feed Chain Expertise — Experience designing dual-CP feed systems with strong axial-ratio and isolation performance.
• mm-Wave Testing — Familiarity with 70+ GHz measurement techniques, including far-field/near-field testing and waveguide-band VNA calibration.