Principal Software Engineer – TeraWave RF and Optical Systems

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); On-site; USD 231,000 - 323,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Temporary remote work exception

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Principal Software Engineer for the TeraWave RF and Optical Systems. You will own software architecture for space-based networking, leading a team to deliver real-time, high-throughput embedded software on multi-core SoCs for satellite payloads and ground terminals.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with hardware and systems teams, rigorous performance KPIs, and strong emphasis on CI/CD, testing, and architecture direction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of embedded software development in C/C++ for Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal.
• Strong object-oriented design in C++.
• Experience with Linux networking and high-speed data interfaces (Ethernet, Interlaken, JESD) and DMA/RDMA.
• Experience leading software teams and mentoring senior engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. citizen or eligible status for U.S. security protocols.

Responsibilities

• Own software architecture for one or more system areas and lead cross-team discussions with chief architects.
• Collaborate with hardware and systems teams to integrate features and troubleshoot issues.
• Lead multi-threaded embedded software design in C/C++ on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms.
• Define scaling, fault tolerance, and recovery strategies.
• Define KPIs and measure resource usage (compute, memory, storage, network).
• Contribute to documentation, code reviews and architecture decisions.
• Champion CI/CD, testing and data-analysis automation, and TDD.
• Mentor a team of engineers and drive engineering excellence.

Skills

Embedded software

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication skills

C/C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, CS, or EE

Master’s degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

JTAG

SWD

CoreSight

Lauterbach/Trace32

J-Link

J-Trace

Linux

Job description

## Principal Software Engineer – TeraWave RF and Optical SystemsApplylocations: Greater Seattle Area: Bay Area, CA: San Diego, CAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R70031Application 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.This role is part of the Emerging Systems business unit, which is focused on developing cutting-edge space technologies including TeraWave, Blue Origin's revolutionary space-based networking system. TeraWave is designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps, providing connectivity to locations unreachable by traditional methods and adding a space-based layer to existing network infrastructure.As a Principal Software Engineer, you will play a vital leadership role within a team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, significantly contributing to the control and data plane architecture of the constellation. Your role will involve utilizing your expertise in software development for constrained environments, real-time operating systems, high-speed handling of data, and encryption to develop and maintain complex software solutions. You will guide software development and optimization efforts, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal quality and performance of our systems.Your ability to innovate, provide architectural direction, and deliver efficient solutions is crucial to managing the entire development process. Successful senior engineers not only meet complex requirements but also propose and implement innovative, cutting-edge solutions.**Special Mentions*** This role will be onsite in one of these locations – Greater Seattle Area, WA; Bay Area, CA; San Diego, CA. It is approved for temporary remote work exception while our local site is developed* Relocation assistance available* Travel may be required up to 10% of the time**Responsibilities include but are not limited to:*** Own software architecture and design one or more system areas and represent them in cross-team discussions with chief architects and peer technical leaders, conduct trade studies and develop prototypes to identify architectural options, and propose the best path forward.* Collaborate with hardware, silicon and systems engineering teams and lead integration campaigns to bring system up the features, troubleshoot problems, and provide solutions.* Lead critical systems design and implementation of multi-threaded embedded software in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms, hosted on multi-core SoCs on the TeraWave satellite payload and ground terminals.* Define and develop strategies for scaling, fault-tolerance and recovery.* Define performance KPIs (processing latencies, throughput, algorithmic efficiency) and develop methods for measurements and optimization of resources (compute, memory, storage, network and I/O).* Contribute to technical documentation, code reviews, and system architecture decisions.* Champion embedded software development, testing and troubleshooting best practices – including CI/CD, test and data analysis automation, TDD.* Lead the team from front in delivering with speed and quality, and mentor a team of highly skilled software engineers, fostering technical excellence and innovation.**Minimum Qualifications*** Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.* 7+ years of deep experience in embedded software development in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms.* Strong proficiency in C++ object-oriented design and implementation.* Hands-on expertise in embedded systems debugging using SW and HW tools (JTAG, SWD, CoreSight, Lauterbach/Trace32, J-Link, J-Trace etc.)* Experience with Linux networking and inter-core/processor communications between applications that use high-speed data-plane interfaces (Ethernet, Interlaken, JESD), DMA/RDMA, RoCE etc.* Experience leading software development teams and mentoring senior engineers.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.* 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*** Master's degree or PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field* 10+ years of experience in embedded software development for mission-critical systems* Experience in developing embedded software in or more of these areas - satellite communications systems, space-based networks, cellular wireless, terrestrial telecommunications systems.* Experience with one or more of these areas - Software defined radios, RF transceivers and antenna systems control (preferably phased arrays, parabolic antennas), Optical transceivers (ACOs, DCOs)* Experience with developing drivers for proprietary and merchant silicon (DSPs, mixed signal processors, modems, etc.).* Experience with formal verification methods for safety-critical software* Knowledge of radiation-hardened computing environments and related software considerations**Why Blue Origin**At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe that humanity's future is in space, and we're committed to building the road to get there. As a Senior Embedded Software Developer on our In-Space Systems team, you'll be at the forefront of developing next-generation space networking capabilities that will enable unprecedented connectivity and mobility in space. You'll work with world-class engineers and scientists who are passionate about solving complex challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Join us in our mission to build a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth.We invite you to be part of this extraordinary journey as we develop the technologies that will connect humanity across the stars. Apply today and help us build the infrastructure for humanity's future in space.### Base Pay Range for:CA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85