Senior Ground Software Engineer — Space Data Relay

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin envisions millions of people living and working in space and is developing reusable, safe space vehicles. This role sits in Blue National Security, focusing on ground architecture for Mars relay services, including DTN, data routing, and external APIs to deliver payload data across deep space with significant light-time delays.

You will collaborate with engineers and mission partners, implement standards-based interfaces, develop automated tests, and support deployment to operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of software development experience, with production code in Python, Java, C++, or similar languages.
• Experience developing and maintaining external-facing APIs for data delivery.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS or Azure) and DevSecOps practices.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• Experience with space mission ground systems, spacecraft operations, or a related domain.
• Familiarity with antenna communications providers such as ATLAS, SSC, DTN.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to a wide audience.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software for the user services layer, including DTN implementation, customer data routing, and external APIs for payload data delivery.
• Build and evolve ground system software interfaces connecting Mars relay users, the relay network, and Earth-based services.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and mission partners to translate requirements into robust software designs and implementations.
• Develop automated tests, perform integration testing, and tune performance to ensure reliable operation across deep space light-time delays.
• Implement ground system interfaces conforming to applicable standards (e.g., CCSDS, DTN Bundle Protocol) for civil deep space missions.
• Engage with external stakeholders including NASA, mission partners, and Mars user teams on software interface design and integration.
• Document software design, implementation, interfaces, and operational procedures; support deployment and handoff to operations teams.

Skills

Python

Java

C++

APIs

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

Agile

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

DTN

APIs testing tools

Job description

Blue Origin envisions millions of people living and working in space and is developing reusable, safe space vehicles. This role sits in Blue National Security, focusing on ground architecture for Mars relay services, including DTN, data routing, and external APIs to deliver payload data across deep space with significant light-time delays.

You will collaborate with engineers and mission partners, implement standards-based interfaces, develop automated tests, and support deployment to operations,