Principal RFIC-PLL Design Engineer

Job Title

Principal RFIC-PLL Design Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the design and integration of high-performance phase-locked loops (PLLs) for RF and mmWave satellite communications payloads and terminals. The role partners with RF system architects, layout and verification teams, and validation engineers to deliver silicon-ready PLLs in advanced CMOS and SiGe processes.

Experience Level

Senior-level; typically 10+ years of experience in PLL and RF/mmWave design and characterization.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on end-to-end PLL design and production readiness.

• Lead design, development, and integration of PLLs in advanced CMOS and SiGe technologies; perform performance trade-off analysis.
• Develop and run mixed-signal simulations and modeling using Spectre, AMS flows, and associated toolsets.
• Define PLL and sub-block requirements with RF system architects to ensure system-level integration.
• Oversee layout, top-level integration, floorplanning, and verification toward tape-out.
• Support silicon bring-up, characterization, debugging, and yield optimization with validation and product teams.
• Investigate and implement analog building blocks to improve circuit performance; mentor junior engineers on analog/RF design practices.

Requirements

Concise list of required and preferred technical qualifications.

• Must-have: 10+ years of experience in design and development of high-speed (>20 GHz) PLLs and LOGEN for RF/mmWave applications.
• Must-have: Proficiency in mixed-mode and RF modeling, simulation, and verification methodologies and tools (e.g., MATLAB, Spectre, SystemVerilog, AMS).
• Must-have: Extensive experience in PLL silicon characterization, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Must-have: Strong background in fundamental analog/RF building blocks such as amplifiers, filters, and mixers.
• Nice-to-have: Expertise in loop design for phase noise/jitter, spur profile, area and power optimization.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with LDOs, bias generators, operational amplifiers, and basic digital design/SystemVerilog modeling.
• Nice-to-have: Understanding of device physics to guide process selection and performance trade-offs.

Education Requirements

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline is required (as stated in the posting).

About the Company

Company: Blue Origin

Headquarters: Kent, Washington, United States

Blue Origin is an American aerospace company developing technologies for spaceflight, including reusable launch vehicles, orbital and suborbital systems, and space infrastructure for commercial and government customers.