RF Systems FPGA Engineer II - Lunar Permanance

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 is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

Blue Origin's Lunar RF Systems group is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to support our Radio and Radar teams in developing flight communications and sensing hardware for lunar vehicles.

Our radios deliver command, telemetry, and data links between the surface, orbit, and Earth and our radars enable precision descent and landing on the lunar surface. FPGAs and advanced system-on-chip devices are used to configure and control RF hardware, perform signal preprocessing, manage communications interfaces, and monitor system health.

In this role, you will own digital design from algorithm concept through flight, translating DSP and RF system requirements into synthesizable RTL running on FPGAs and system-on-chip devices. You will model and simulate waveforms and detection algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink, trade fixed-point architectures against fabric, memory, and I/O budgets, implement and verify the resulting logic, and then bring it up on real hardware alongside RF, antenna, DSP, and embedded software engineers.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will support the design, build, and operation of communications and sensing systems that enable a sustained human presence on the Moon.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

• Design and simulation of end-to-end systems to meet required performance specifications such as range and signal-to-noise ratio.
• Design and validate signal processing algorithm for applications of detection, tracking, RF calibration, parameter estimation.
• Support Matlab/Simulink Code generation for signal processing and filtering
• Analysis of algorithmic computational complexity and hardware resource needs (FPGA fabric, memory/IO bandwidth, etc.)
• Optimize FPGA-based DSP architecture to maximize Signal-to-Noise/Clutter Ratio, improve Receiver Sensitivity, and mitigate RF nonlinearity calibration
• Work with hardware engineers to drive device selection: FPGA, ADC/DAC, DDR3/4, NOR flash, etc.
• Support HW bring-up and work alongside hardware engineers to support design verification
• RTL logic implementation and FPGA prototyping
• Perform hardware-in-the-loop, bench-level, and integrated RF testing.
• Participate in requirements, design, test-readiness, qualification, and acceptance reviews.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in FPGA design and/or DSP
• Experience in developing and implementing DSP algorithm on FPGA and/or embedded processor
• Experience in simulating an end-to-end system to meet required performance specifications, such as link budgets
• Proficient with Matlab/Simulink, or equivalent modeling environment
• Experience in designing, choosing, and optimizing DSP algorithms for radar or other relevant sensors
• Proficient with IEEE 802.3, XAUI, PCIe, JESD204B/C, I2C, SPI interfaces
• Proficient in writing RTL using Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL (SystemVerilog desired).
• Strong understanding of FPGA design concepts, CDC, constraint definition, STA, and timing closure.
• Proficient with FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Microchip Libero, Synopsys Synplify Pro, Intel Quartus
• Proficient with ModelSim/QuestaSim or equivalent simulators.
• Experience in writing test benches utilizing techniques such as UVM/OVM, SV Assertion, and/or functional/code coverage analysis.
• Hands-on experience with testing and laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic or protocol analyzers, power supplies, multimeters, and signal generators.
• Experience with Git or another modern version-control system and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possessing a Master of Science in electrical/computer engineering, digital signal processing, mathematics or a related technical field.
• Experience in FMCW or CW Radar/LiDAR signal processing
• Proficient with scripting languages like Perl, Python, or Tcl
• Experience with RF sensors.
• Experience with space applications and radiation environment.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators/analyzers, power meters, and attenuators.
• Experience applying formal hardware assurance and configuration-management practices, including DO-254 or comparable aerospace standards.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $107,136.00 - $149,990.40

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

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.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include:  Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation