Lead Optical Terminal Communications Architect

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 161,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Stock options

PTO

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin’s Blue National Security team seeks a Principal Optical Terminal Communications Software Architect to lead software architecture for SDR terminals and optical communication systems powering space missions. You will shape scalable, secure embedded software across hardware, firmware, and systems in demanding environments.

You’ll guide architecture standards, design patterns, and verification strategies while collaborating with systems and hardware teams to ensure mission readiness and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience developing embedded and application software for SDR systems.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python; familiarity with additional languages is a plus.
• Experience with software lifecycle management, configuration management, CI/CD pipelines, and V&V for mission-critical systems.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, I2C, SPI, and RS-422/485.
• Experience applying secure software development principles and cybersecurity in embedded environments.
• Hands-on experience with embedded software testing methodologies.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, implement, verify, and integrate software for SDR terminals with focus on scalability and mission readiness.
• Design SDR capabilities for spacecraft platforms, including waveform processing and communication protocol development.
• Define platform-independent software frameworks and design patterns for multiple waveforms and configurations.
• Partner with systems, hardware, and firmware engineers to translate requirements into architectural specs.
• Lead software design reviews, code reviews, and trade studies spanning performance, reliability, and portability.
• Support software integration, verification, and validation across SIL and HIL environments.
• Build and improve software engineering infrastructure including CI/CD pipelines and automated test frameworks.
• Author and maintain technical docs like architecture descriptions and verification plans.
• Design secure OTA update capabilities for spacecraft with authenticated delivery and rollback.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded software

SDR systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Master's degree (preferred) in related field

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

Verification & validation

Job description

Blue Origin’s Blue National Security team seeks a Principal Optical Terminal Communications Software Architect to lead software architecture for SDR terminals and optical communication systems powering space missions. You will shape scalable, secure embedded software across hardware, firmware, and systems in demanding environments.

You’ll guide architecture standards, design patterns, and verification strategies while collaborating with systems and hardware teams to ensure mission readiness and