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Blue Origin · 2 weeks ago

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

Greater Seattle Area

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$117K/yr - $164K/yr

5+ years exp

Blue Origin is working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. The Mechanical Engineer will focus on the mechanical design, thermal and structural analysis, and testing of flight RF antenna structures and associated RF electronics packaging, contributing to the development of sustainable lunar transportation systems.

AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

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 (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

Qualification

Mechanical designThermal analysisStructural analysis3D CAD modelingFEA toolsGD&T implementationAerospace antenna designSelf-directedCommunication skillsTeam collaboration

Required

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

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