Senior Embedded Software Engineer - TeraWave Customer Terminals Software

Front Door Defense; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 198,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and optimize firmware for the TeraWave customer terminals. You will work at the intersection of hardware and software, delivering real-time beam steering, transceiver control, and high-throughput data routing.

Responsibilities include writing modular firmware for resource-constrained devices, implementing OTA updates, and ensuring secure boot and cryptographic verification in a space-grade environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of embedded software development experience for high-speed communications, radar, networking, or aerospace hardware.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern C and C++ for embedded systems.
• Deep experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, VxWorks) and/or Embedded Linux.
• Strong ability to read schematics, use datasheets, and lab tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG) to isolate hardware vs. software issues.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement modular embedded C/C++ firmware for microcontrollers, FPGAs, or SoCs.
• Develop low-level drivers (SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, Ethernet) for transceivers and RF front-ends.
• Optimize embedded networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, VLAN) for ultra-low latency and high throughput.
• Implement real-time thermal throttling, power-saving states, and fault-protection for high-density electronics.
• Develop secure bootloaders and OTA firmware update mechanisms.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

RTOS experience

Networking knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

VxWorks

Embedded Linux

JTAG debugging

Job description

Senior Embedded Software Engineer - TeraWave Customer Terminals

Develop and deploy embedded firmware for Blue Origin's TeraWave customer terminals

Location: Seattle, Washington

Compensation: $197,529 - 276,540 USD / year

About The Role

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

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 Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and optimize firmware for our next-generation satellite user terminal. In this role, you will build mission-critical software enabling real-time beam steering, transceiver control, and high-throughput data routing.

You will work at the intersection of hardware and software, developing robust bare-metal or RTOS-based firmware to control high-speed communication systems and complex RF hardware.

Core Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design and implement modular, highly reliable embedded C/C++ firmware for resource-constrained microcontrollers, FPGAs, or SoCs.
• Write low-level software to program, calibrate, and dynamically update phase registers across hundreds of Beamforming ICs (BFICs) to achieve microsecond-level electronic beam steering.
• Write and debug low-level peripheral drivers (SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, Ethernet) to interface with transceivers, RF front-ends, and baseband processors.
• Optimize embedded networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, VLAN) to ensure ultra-low latency and maximum data throughput between the satellite network and local user gateways.
• Implement real-time thermal throttling algorithms, power-saving states, and automated fault-protection logic to keep high-power density electronics operating safely in extreme outdoor conditions.
• Develop secure bootloaders, cryptographic verification systems, and highly resilient over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in embedded software development, specifically working on high-speed communications, radar, networking, or aerospace hardware.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern C and C++ for embedded systems.
• Deep experience working with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, VxWorks) and/or Embedded Linux.
• Strong ability to read complex electrical schematics, utilize datasheets, and use lab tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers) to isolate hardware vs. software issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience writing software to control phased array antennas, digital beamformers, or direct-RF sampling transceivers.
• Experience configuring custom Embedded Linux distributions and cross-compiling toolchains using Yocto Project or Buildroot.
• Familiarity with hardware-based security features, including TPM, TrustZone, hardware acceleration engines, and secure enclave integration.
• Experience setting up automated Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments and continuous integration pipelines for firmware verification.
• Experience with satellite communications systems, space-based networks, or telecommunications
• Experience with IP, networking, and communications protocols including BGP, MPLS, SRv6, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, IPv6, voice, and video
• Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV)
• Understanding of networking over constrained links and optimization techniques
• Experience with formal verification methods for safety-critical software

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55 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 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…?