Principal Optical Terminal Comms Software 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

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 Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

Blue Origin's Blue National Security (BNS) team is building the next generation of space-based communications infrastructure, and we're looking for a Principal Optical Terminal Communications Software Architect to help lead that effort. In this role, you'll shape the software architecture powering advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) terminals and optical communication systems that will connect the world from space. Your work will directly influence the design, scalability, and mission readiness of systems operating in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningful technical leadership at the intersection of embedded software, communications systems, and space mission engineering.

What You’ll Do

• Architect, develop, implement, verify, and integrate software for next-generation SDR terminals, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and mission readiness
• Design and develop SDR capabilities for spacecraft platforms, including waveform processing, modulation/demodulation, and communication protocol development
• Define platform-independent, reusable software frameworks, services, and design patterns that support multiple waveforms, data rates, modulation and coding configurations, and future system growth
• Partner with systems, hardware, and firmware engineers to analyze requirements and translate them into clear, detailed architectural specifications
• Establish software architecture standards, coding guidelines, design patterns, and review practices that promote maintainability and long-term system health
• Lead software design reviews, code reviews, and technical trade studies spanning performance, fault tolerance, redundancy, scalability, and portability
• Support software integration, verification, and validation across software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and other mission-representative test environments
• Build and improve software engineering infrastructure, including build systems, CI/CD pipelines, automated test frameworks, and debugging and diagnostic tooling
• Author and maintain technical documentation including software architecture descriptions, interface control documents, verification plans, and test procedures
• Design and implement secure over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities for spacecraft, including authenticated delivery, validation, rollback, version control, and safe on-orbit deployment

Minimum 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
• Demonstrated technical depth across software design, implementation, and cross-functional integration
• Experience with software lifecycle management, configuration management, CI/CD pipelines, and verification/validation practices for mission-critical systems
• Working knowledge of communication protocols including TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, I2C, SPI, and RS-422/485
• Experience applying secure software development principles and cybersecurity best practices in embedded or mission-critical environments
• Hands-on experience with embedded software testing methodologies
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• Experience developing software for satellite constellations, distributed space systems, or networked embedded platforms
• Knowledge of satellite communications systems, spacecraft networking, and high-throughput data handling
• Background in fault-tolerant computing, redundancy management, and resilient software architecture design
• Familiarity with communication satellite systems, optical inter-satellite links (OISL), or related networking technologies
• Experience designing secure OTA software update mechanisms for embedded or mission-critical systems
• Experience with software build systems, static analysis tools, code quality tooling, or automated verification frameworks for embedded systems

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85

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 Aff… Please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.