Senior Product Engineer, Modem SOC — TeraWave

Blue Origin; Texas; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Product Engineer to own the production release of the Modem SOC for TeraWave. You will guide the SOC from tape-out through qualification, characterization, and high-volume production, impacting yield and cost.

The role is based onsite in Austin, TX, with a temporary remote work exception while the site develops. You will collaborate with validation, test, and OSAT teams to ensure a fully characterized, ready-for-production SOC.

Qualifications

• BSEE or equivalent with 7+ years in IC product engineering and production release.
• Experience owning releases through characterization, qualification and reliability testing.
• Hands-on high-speed digital SOC testing and ATE test development.

Responsibilities

• Own Modem SOC production release from tape-out through qualification.
• Lead characterization plans and qualification across subsystems.
• Coordinate with validation, test and OSAT teams for data collection and analysis.
• Drive DVFS, power management and security subsystem validation.
• Mentor junior engineers and improve NPI flow for modem bring-up.

Skills

SerDes characterization

DDR memory validation

ATE test development

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

JMP

Python

Job description

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 seasoned Senior Product Engineer to own the production release of the Modem SOC for TeraWave. This is a highly integrated 5G NR NTN modem System-on-Chip designed for satellite and non-terrestrial network (NTN) infrastructure digital communications SOC. Sitting at the intersection of product engineering, test engineering, and validation engineering, you will guide the modem SOC from tape‑out through qualification, characterization, engineering validation, and high‑volume production—directly influencing schedule attainment, yield, and cost structure. Your work will contribute to Blue Origin’s mission of enabling millions to live and work in space by advancing TeraWave’s space-based broadband communication architecture.

This role is based onsite in Austin, TX. A temporary remote work exception is approved while our Austin site is being developed.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the Modem SOC product release, guiding the chip from tape‑out compliance through production qualification while ensuring adherence to internal development processes and JEDEC standards.
• Formulate and execute characterization and qualification plans across all major subsystems.
• Drive validation and test engineering groups for measurements and data collection, and own statistical analysis qualification, ATE correlation, production test‑limit setting, and datasheet parameter validation.
• Work collaboratively with the validation team towards the delivery of a fully characterized and tested SoC.
• Lead boot subsystem bring‑up and validation: secure boot, QSPI NOR flash, EMMC NAND flash, root‑of‑trust authentication flows, and OTA firmware update verification.
• Own power domain and DVFS characterization: power‑mode transitions, per‑domain voltage/frequency scaling, power gating, wake/sleep latency, and GALS clocking architecture validation for space mission power budgets.
• Lead L2/L3 crypto DMA and security subsystem validation: M2M crypto throughput, key management, interrupt routing, and integrity‑fail response.
• Develop and validate ATE test plans and coverage in partnership with test engineers, including DFT‑based structural test (scan, BIST, JTAG) and functional test coverage for modem PHY and compute subsystems.
• Own failure analysis across the production lifecycle—coordinating with design, OSATs, and labs to root‑cause yield, reliability, and field issues and to drive corrective actions.
• Review NPI hardware designs—load boards, characterization boards, and probe cards for modem SOC bring‑up.
• Spearhead cost reductions through yield improvement, test‑time optimization, and ATE coverage rationalization.
• Manage excursions, including low‑yield events, RMAs, and in‑field anomalies.
• Operate as the key interface between the NPI team and backend operations and OSATs.
• Define KPIs for modem SOC production health, monitor ongoing performance, and deliver regular reporting to program and operations leadership.
• Continuously identify process enhancements for the NPI flow, with emphasis on modem‑specific bring‑up complexity across compute, modem PHY, and high‑speed interface domains.
• Act as a mentor to junior team members, fostering technical and professional growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSEE or equivalent and 7+ years of IC product engineering / product development experience, including bringing complex digital or mixed‑signal SOCs from definition to production release.
• Demonstrated experience owning product releases through characterization, qualification, and reliability testing on advanced‑node ASICs.
• Hands‑on expertise with high‑speed digital SOC testing: SerDes interface characterization, DDR memory validation, compute subsystem bring‑up, and ATE test development.
• Advanced knowledge of IC manufacturing processes, DFT methodologies (scan, BIST, JTAG), and failure analysis techniques.
• Strong statistical analysis capability with proficiency in JMP, Gauge R & R, limit setting, and DOE methodology.
• Proficiency in Python or similar scripting language for test automation, data collection, and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• MSEE or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Extensive experience with compute SOC or modem ASIC NPI, including ownership of schedule, planning, and budget.
• Deep expertise in 5G NR modem PHY testing or validation in satellite / NTN applications, including L1 channelization, beam‑slice datapath, and full‑duplex TX/RX characterization.
• Hands‑on experience with 112G PAM4 SerDes characterization: eye diagram analysis, jitter decomposition, BER floor testing, and daisy‑chain link margin.
• Direct experience with LPDDR5x or LPDDR6 bring‑up, ECC validation, throughput characterization, and margin testing.
• Experience with Arm compute subsystem NPI: Neoverse core bring‑up, CMN‑700 mesh, SMMU/GIC validation, and interrupt subsystem verification.
• Experience with secure boot validation, root‑of‑trust authentication flows, and hardware security module testing.
• Experience with timing and synchronization interface validation: PPS, PTP/IEEE 1588, SyncE, or GNSS reference inputs.
• Experience with DVFS and multi‑domain power management testing for advanced‑node SOCs.
• Experience developing or qualifying radiation‑tolerant / radiation‑hardened products for space applications.
• Direct experience interfacing with OSATs and backend operations through NPI bring‑up and production ramp for advanced‑node digital or mixed‑signal ASICs.
• Experience mentoring early‑career engineers.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 10% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

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.

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.

Background Check Required for all positions

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.

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 workforce. 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…

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.