Technician – Engineering Aide III

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! 

As part of a hardworking team of engineers and technical designers, you will directly impact the history of space exploration and require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

This opportunity reports to the RF Systems group inside of the Lunar Permanence business unit. This Engineering Aide position provides hands-on technical support for the rapid prototyping, fabrication, testing, and integration of RF antenna hardware and associated electronics. Primary hardware includes parabolic carbon fiber reflectors, horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, PCB assemblies, and a variety of RF electronics used for lunar surface and cislunar missions. You will work as a member of the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) program team and will play a key role in developing the Lunar Transportation systems that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth. This role requires a versatile, self-motivated individual with broad fabrication and prototyping skills who can operate across mechanical, electrical, and RF disciplines. Passion for our mission and vision is required. If you're excited by providing both near term and long-term value, solving novel problems, learning about interesting topics, and completing challenging projects, please apply!

• Relocation provided
• Travel not typically expected, but on an as need basis up to 15%

• Operate and maintain a PCB milling machine to fabricate prototype circuit boards for RF and electronic subsystems, including antenna feed networks, patch arrays, and RF front-end circuits.
• Perform PCB layout and design iterations using Altium Designer in support of RF engineers and electrical engineers developing antenna electronics, amplifiers, and control boards.
• Set up and operate CNC milling machines and other shop equipment to fabricate prototype mechanical parts, antenna components, test fixtures, and assembly tooling.
• Support rapid prototyping efforts across the RF team, including 3D printing, hand fabrication, soldering, and assembly of prototype antenna and electronics hardware.
• Build, assemble, and rework prototype antenna assemblies, RF electronics packages, cable harnesses, and associated mechanical structures.
• Support engineering testing activities including vibration, shock, thermal cycle, and thermal vacuum tests by fabricating test fixtures, instrumenting hardware, and assisting with test execution and data collection.
• Create assembly aids, metrology fixtures, and RF/structural test fixtures to verify antenna alignment, surface accuracy, and mechanical performance.
• Assist engineers with antenna and RF hardware integration activities, including alignment, bonding, fastening, and cable routing.
• Maintain lab equipment, prototyping tools, and fabrication areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
• Review and provide feedback on assembly instructions and drawings to improve manufacturability and build quality.
• Support material and hardware inventory management, procurement coordination, and tracking of prototype parts and assemblies.
• Document fabrication processes, test setups, and as-built configurations through photographs, reports, and records.
• Collaborate across mechanical, RF, electrical, thermal, and systems engineering disciplines in a fast-paced design environment.

• Associate's degree (2-year) in engineering technology, electronics technology, mechanical technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in a prototyping, fabrication, or technical support role in aerospace, defense, or a related high-performance hardware industry.
• Experience operating PCB milling equipment for prototype board fabrication.
• Experience operating CNC mills and/or other precision machining equipment.
• Experience with PCB layout software (Altium Designer preferred).
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, soldering equipment, and standard lab/shop fabrication equipment.
• Ability to be self-directed, prioritize tasks, and balance several projects at one time in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

• B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Experience with Altium Designer for RF or high-frequency PCB layout, including controlled impedance routing and RF-specific design considerations.
• Experience with RF antenna hardware, including parabolic reflectors, horn antennas, patch antenna arrays, waveguides, and coaxial assemblies.
• Experience with composite materials handling and fabrication (e.g., carbon fiber layup, bonding, trimming).
• Experience with 3D CAD tools (Creo preferred) for reviewing models or creating simple part designs.
• Experience with environmental testing including vibration, shock, and thermal cycle.
• Experience with 3D printing technologies (FDM, SLA, or similar) for rapid prototyping.
• Experience with soldering standards such as IPC J-STD-001 or NASA-STD-8739.
• Familiarity with GD&T concepts (ASME Y14.5) and metrology/inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, CMM).
• Experience working in aerospace or defense environments with configuration-controlled hardware.

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.