Spacecraft Harness Design Engineer III - TeraWave

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!

Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

Special Mentions

This is a unique opportunity to design harness systems for a mega-constellation of 5,408 satellites, where manufacturability, cost optimization, and production rate are first-order design drivers from day one. You will work across every subsystem on the vehicle — EPS power distribution, flight computer C&DH, GNC sensors, propulsion, solar array, RF and optical payloads, and thermal management — giving you broad spacecraft-level visibility that few harness roles offer.

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Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Harness Design & Documentation:

• Design, develop, and release spacecraft wire harness assemblies for bus, payload, and integration applications across the TeraWave satellite constellation
• Develop Bundle Interconnect Diagrams (BIDs) and Wire Interconnect Diagrams (WIDs) in coordination with LRU/box owners across all subsystems (avionics, propulsion, GNC, RF payload, optical payload, solar array, thermal)
• Produce harness engineering drawings including harness assembly drawings, installation drawings, and connector pin assignment drawings
• Create and maintain 3D harness routing models in Creo/Windchill, performing interference checks, bend radius verification, and mass/length estimation
• Work to harness specifications, workmanship standards, and design requirements aligned with Blue Origin command media

Connector & Interconnect Design:

• Select connectors, backshells, contacts, and interconnect hardware appropriate for the space environment (vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, vibration)
• Define connector keying, clocking, and pin assignments to ensure proper mating and prevent misconnection during integration
• Specify shielding termination methods (360° backshell termination, pigtail, drain wire) based on EMI/EMC requirements and signal type

Analysis & Verification:

• Perform harness-related analyses including voltage drop, wire derating, current capacity, weight estimation, and thermal dissipation
• Support EMI/EMC analysis for harness segregation planning — separate power, signal, and RF runs per the Electromagnetic Effects Control Plan

Manufacturing & Integration Support:

• Coordinate with manufacturing engineering on harness fabrication — support make/buy decisions, develop build instructions, and resolve production issues
• Support harness fabrication to specified workmanship standards
• Develop test procedures for harness acceptance testing (continuity, hipot, insulation resistance, megohm)
• Support vehicle integration and test — troubleshoot harness anomalies, process redlines, and support connector mate/demate operations
• Design harnesses for manufacturability and rate production — minimize harness variants, standardize connector families, and optimize for assembly time at constellation scale (5,408 satellites)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft or satellite harness design, cable routing, or electrical integration
• Demonstrated experience producing harness assembly drawings, installation drawings, and connector pin assignment documentation
• Hands-on experience with BID/WID development and interface coordination across multiple subsystems
• Proficiency with electrical harness CAD tools (Creo Cabling / Routed Systems, Zuken, Capital Harness, Mentor/Siemens, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of harness fabrication standards
• Understanding of EMI/EMC principles as applied to harness segregation, shielding, and grounding
• Familiarity with connector systems used in space applications (Micro-D, Nano-D, D-sub, circular MIL-DTL-38999, MIL-DTL-83513, etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, Block diagrams, and interface control documents
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft harness design with at least one program through full lifecycle
• Experience with Creo Cabling / Routed Systems and Windchill PLM for harness configuration management
• Direct experience designing harnesses for satellite constellations or high-rate spacecraft or automotive production environments
• Experience with high-voltage (>50V) spacecraft power harness design
• Experience with harness weight optimization techniques for mass-constrained spacecraft
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent harness designs in a fast-paced environment
• Background in harness-level or system-level signal integrity analysis for high-speed data interfaces (Ethernet, SpaceWire, LVDS)
• Experience supporting harness fabrication shops — reviewing first articles, dispositioning nonconformances, and developing rework procedures

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70
CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55
WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.