Sr Manager - RF Systems Ground, Marine & Space Relay

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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!  

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As a part of a small, multi-functional team, you’ll help develop, manage, and operate RF telemetry systems -  ground,  marine, and Space Relay based - as critical infrastructure supporting the New Glenn Launch Vehicle (LV).  We seek a highly experienced RF leader to manage Ground and Marine RF systems design, systems validation, and site operations support. Your team delivers integrated Ground RF systems for New Glenn’s Avionics Group.  These systems provide Ground RF Command, Control & Communications (C3) which include local and downrange ground stations, marine and pad-based RF systems, and In Space Relay systems, that enable vehicle checkout, launch, landing, and refurbishment operations.

As the senior manager of the Avionics Networking & Communications - RF Systems Ground Marine & Space Relay design group you’ll hire, develop, manage, and grow a highly productive/trusted team of RF engineers. The team's customers are a demanding and deeply technical group across New Glenn vehicle design & Launch Site Operations, including FCC, USSF, NASA and USSF/FAA Range Safety.  This is a hands-on role requiring close coordination w/ leadership and these varied customers.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight.  Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the Ground C3 RF team in developing & maintaining safety critical ground, marine, and space relay RF systems within a culture of excellence and inclusion, consistent with Blue Origin's leadership principles
• Design, install, and checkout critically important comm’s systems supporting real-time telemetry of data, including video & voice, in vehicle launch and landing environments to support reusable LV operations
• Manage RF communication systems designs in support of all phases of launch & landing op’s, ensuring systems readiness and mission capabilities
• Establish procedures for requirements validation & verification of specified hardware through bench, integrated systems, and field testing to ensure interoperability and functionality
• Recommend and apply information security processes and mechanisms to ensure the integrity of flight critical communications systems and ensure the safety of personnel and flight hardware
• Develop and maintain configuration control for a broad inventory of RF communications assets
• Create detailed documentation, including design drawings, functional and logical diagrams, for mission comm’s systems
• Develop, expand, and retain a team of experts that earn trust by delivering “right-sized” products to all customers, on time to support their integration & operations needs
• Evaluate all ground & marine RF requirements to determine work scope, estimate resources needed, then prioritize team assignments to meet them
• Motivate a small RF team to develop stellar customer relationships by delivering results; ensure NASA, the Range, and all other customers catch Blue Origin’s vision by consistently exceeding their expectations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or physics
• Demonstrated ability developing RF systems for launch vehicles and/or ground RF systems, including vehicle RF systems integration, and related launch site operations
• 10+ years’ experience as project lead/engineering manager, coordinating RF efforts with a team of engineers with significant technical depth
• Exceptional abilities to perform RF Link Margin analyses, RF interference evaluations, and to communicate complex concepts to all levels of leadership/customers
• Ability to travel & work at remote sites supporting test integration, operations, and training
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a highly d