Satellite Test Software Lead - TeraWave

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 197,529 - 276,539; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin's TeraWave division seeks a Test Software Lead to architect, develop, and maintain software powering vehicle electrical, avionics, and HWIL test infrastructure.

You will own the full test software stack—from hardware interface drivers to data pipelines—delivering a scalable, automated testing capability for production.

This role bridges software engineering and flight hardware knowledge, leading a team of test software engineers and coordinating with avionics and systems teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in test software development, embedded systems, or software-defined test infrastructure.
• Experience architecting and delivering test executive or automated test frameworks used in production or flight hardware verification.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB, etc.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware interfaces including serial buses and instrumentation APIs.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment software integration.
• Experience with Git, CI/CD, automated testing, and release management.
• Experience designing test systems with production scalability and automation as primary requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead software engineering teams and coordinate across disciplines.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the architecture of the test software ecosystem including test executive frameworks, abstraction layers, real-time control interfaces, and the data pipeline.
• Design test software systems for reliability, maintainability, and scalability for multi-vehicle production.
• Lead development of test sequencing engines, automated procedure execution frameworks and go/no-go limit checking systems.
• Own test procedure development, review, and approval workflows from draft to qualification.
• Integrate test software with hardware interfaces including serial buses, analog/discrete I/O, RF APIs, and real-time simulation platforms.

Skills

Python

C/C++

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Embedded systems

CI/CD

Git

RF test equipment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Speedgoat

National Instruments

dSPACE

NI Veristand

Job description

About Blue Origin

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!

TeraWave

TeraWave is pioneering the future of space-based communications with 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.

Job Overview

TeraWave is seeking an experienced Test Software Lead to architect, develop, and maintain the software systems that power vehicle electrical, avionics, and HWIL test infrastructure. This role owns the full test software stack— from hardware interface drivers and real‑time control to test sequencing, data acquisition, automated limit checking, and reporting—and is responsible for delivering a software‑defined test capability that scales with vehicle production rate. The ideal candidate bridges the gap between software engineering discipline and deep knowledge of vehicle test operations, building tools that engineers and technicians trust on the test floor.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Define and own the architecture of the test software ecosystem including test executive frameworks, abstraction layers, real‑time control interfaces, and the data pipeline.
• Design test software systems for reliability, maintainability, and scalability. Built from the start to support multi‑vehicle production throughout.
• Lead development of test sequencing engines, automated procedure execution frameworks and go/no‑go limit checking systems to reduce manual operations.
• Own test procedure development, review, and approval workflows from initial draft through qualification and acceptance.
• Own integration of test software with hardware interfaces including serial buses, analog/discrete I/O, RF Equipment APIs, and real‑time simulation platforms (Speedgoat, National Instruments, etc.).
• Develop software interfaces to RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum analyzers, channel emulators, and GPS/GNSS simulators) to enable automated RF testing, measurement, and screening.
• Champion an automation‑first development philosophy for test software design and implementation.
• Partner with electrical test, Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop, and manufacturing engineering teams early in the design cycle to ensure test software integrates seamlessly with production and build sequences.
• Define and implement automated report generation, real‑time health monitoring, dashboards, and data export pipelines that feed production analytics.
• Lead a team of test software engineers and provide technical direction, code review oversight, and mentorship.
• Communicate software development status, risks, and milestone readiness to program and engineering leadership.
• Coordinate with Avionics, flight software, and system engineering teams to align test software interfaces with evolving vehicle software architecture.
• Drive adoption of automated testing for test software itself—unit tests, integration tests, regression suites that validate the test infrastructure prior to touching flight vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in test software development, embedded systems, or software‑defined test infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and delivering test executive or automated test frameworks used in production or flight hardware verification.
• Proficiency in one or more languages used in test software development (Python, C/C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB, etc.).
• Hands‑on experience integrating software with hardware interfaces including serial buses, analog/discrete I/O, and instrumentation APIs.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment software integration.
• Experience applying software engineering best practices to test software version control (Git), code review, CI/CD, automated testing, and release management.
• Demonstrated experience designing test systems with production scalability and automation as primary requirements.
• Proven ability to lead software engineering teams and coordinate across disciplines in a fast‑paced development environment.
• 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 in software engineering or related field.
• Experience developing software for space vehicle, spacecraft, or other highly integrated systems.
• Experience with real‑time operating systems and deterministic execution environments (VxWorks, QNX, RTEMS, NI Linux Real Time).
• Experience with real‑time simulation platform integration (Speedgoat, dSPACE, NI Veristand/TestStand).
• Familiarity with Design for Testability (DFT) principles applied from a software perspective.
• Previous lead or management experience in a software or test engineering organization.
• Experience scaling a test software program from a development cadence to rate production.

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 – $254,275.35

WA applicants is $197,529.00 – $276,539.55

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 United States 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 (CDL drivers only), 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 affirmative 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.