Principal Hardware Systems Architect – Phased Array User Terminal

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! 

We are seeking a Principal Hardware Systems Architect to define and lead the end-to-end architecture of our next-generation satellite user terminal. In this role, you will own system-level hardware design across RF antenna arrays, high-speed digital processing, power systems, and mechanical integration.

You will drive the technical roadmap, make critical architectural and component trade-offs, and guide a cross-functional engineering team to deliver a high-performance, cost-optimized product at scale.

• Own the end-to-end system block diagram, defining the hardware architecture, power distribution, data pathways, and grounding schemes for the user terminal.
• Evaluate and select critical components, including main SoCs, high-speed transceivers, memory, and peripherals, balancing performance, power efficiency, and bill-of-materials (BOM) cost.
• Act as the primary technical anchor connecting RF, Electrical, Mechanical, and Embedded Software teams to resolve multi-disciplinary interface challenges.
• Define the thermal dissipation strategy and high-voltage power delivery frameworks  to support high-power beamforming states.
• Drive the hardware through the entire product lifecycle from initial architecture to global, high-volume mass manufacturing, partnering closely with contract manufacturers (CMs) and suppliers to optimize assembly yields, execute factory test strategies, and reduce unit costs.
• Establish the technical metrics, validation plans, and compliance strategies required for international wireless deployment (FCC Part 25/15, CE, ETSI).

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a highly related technical field.
• 10+ years of hardware engineering experience, with 4+ years acting as a Principal Systems Architect or Lead Architect delivering complex wireless, radar, or satellite communication products.
• Deep technical understanding of phased array antenna physics, digital beamforming architectures, high-speed digital buses (PCIe, SerDes, Ethernet), and RF front-ends.
• Strong background in defining layout constraints for massive, multi-layer mixed-signal boards, with a focus on strict signal/power integrity and EMI containment.
• Proven track record of architecting hardware intended for high-volume manufacturing, with deep knowledge of DFM/DFA constraints and supply chain trade-offs.

• Understanding of the interaction between RF-transparent radome polymers (like ASA or polycarbonates), hydrophobic coatings, and high-frequency microwave arrays.
• Previous engineering leadership role in a major Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Geostationary (GEO) user terminal development program.

Base Pay Range for:

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.