Satellite Software and Autonomy Engineer III – TeraWave

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Stock options

Paid time off & holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Satellite Software and Autonomy Engineer III to design, develop, integrate and verify onboard autonomy software for the TeraWave constellation. You will define integrated autonomy across subsystems, implement fault detection and recovery logic, and develop mission sequencing and mode management for multiple satellite phases.

Collaborate with Flight Software, Avionics, GN&C, and others to ensure scalable operations and robust verification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering/computer science field.
• 5+ years of experience in mission automation, FDIR, or onboard autonomy.
• Ability to translate fault requirements into flight software.
• Experience with CI systems and automated software testing.
• Experience with software config tools like Git.
• Experience with real-time flight software and telemetry analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define integrated onboard autonomy behavior across subsystems.
• Develop onboard fault detection, isolation, and response logic.
• Develop and integrate flight software for fault management and autonomy.
• Create mission sequencing and mode management logic for missions.
• Collaborate with Flight Software, Avionics, GN&C, and other subsystems.
• Develop verification scripts including fault injection and telemetry validation.
• Collaborate on FMECA, CONOPS, and system hazards analyses.
• Maintain table-driven flight software parameters for FDIR and mode transitions.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Real-time software

CI systems

Git

Testing/telemetry

Education

B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Eng/CS

Tools

Git

DOORS

Jama

Confluence

JIRA

Trick Sim

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! 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. We are seeking a Satellite Software and Autonomy Engineer III to design, develop, integrate, and verify applications for TeraWave's onboard fault management, mission sequencing, mode management, and autonomy systems. This role will be instrumental in building robust, scalable flight software to support the growth of TeraWave into a 5,408-vehicle constellation.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Define and document integrated onboard autonomy behavior across subsystem interfaces, including fault responses, mode transitions, command sequences, telemetry expectations, and operational constraints
• Develop onboard fault detection, isolation, and response logic across multiple satellite subsystems, including fault monitors, persistence logic, inhibits, recovery actions, response sequencing, and escalation paths
• Develop and integrate flight software for fault management and system-level autonomy applications and parameters
• Develop onboard mission sequencing and mode management logic for key mission phases, satellite modes, and nominal/contingency mode transitions
• Collaborate across subsystems including Flight Software, Avionics, GN&C, Electrical Power, C&DH, Propulsion, RF/Communications, and Thermal
• Develop and execute verification and validation scripts, including fault injection, scenario-based testing, telemetry validation, and regression testing, to ensure onboard autonomy meets requirements and operational needs
• Partner with Systems Engineering on Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Mission Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and System Hazards Analyses to inform onboard autonomy design
• Develop and maintain table-driven flight software parameters supporting FDIR, sequencing, and mode management, such as limit tables, fault response tables, command sequences, and mode transition tables
• Partner with mission operations and fleet management teams to ensure onboard autonomy, telemetry, commanding, and recovery behavior support scalable operations across the constellation

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience developing mission automation, FDIR, mission sequencing, onboard autonomy, or related real-time software for satellite or space vehicle systems
• Demonstrated ability to translate subsystem-level fault detection/response requirements into flight software implementation, working directly with subsystem SMEs
• Experience with continuous integration (CI) systems and automated software testing
• Experience with software configuration control tools such as Git or similar
• Experience developing FDIR, mission sequencing, or onboard autonomy across multiple subsystems
• Experience developing, integrating and/or testing real-time flight software
• Experience with software development and/or integration using C/C++, Python, and structured configuration/data formats such as XML, YAML, JSON, or similar
• Experience developing test scripts and performing telemetry analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite flight and/or ground operations
• Experience working in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and/or Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) lab environments
• Experience developing deterministic nominal and contingency autonomy for major mission phases or modes
• Experience integrating with avionics systems and communications protocols
• Experience managing flight software parameter/configuration changes through formal review, verification, release, and operational deployment processes
• Experience developing satellite or space vehicle autonomy through the full lifecycle, including flight operations
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama) for tracing fault management and sequencing requirements to implementation
• Experience supporting anomaly investigation and root cause analysis for onboard autonomy or FDIR behavior during test or flight operations
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA
• Experience designing, evaluating, and simulating state machines, mode managers, sequencing engines, or rule-based autonomy systems
• Experience interfacing with simulation frameworks such as Trick Sim or comparable frameworks

Base Pay Range for: 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

• 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’sAffirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request. We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.