Senior Software Engineer - TeraWave RF and Optical Systems

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 165,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Education support program

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Software Engineer to design and develop embedded software for constrained environments, focusing on real-time systems and data-plane architecture for the TeraWave satellite network.

You will lead software development, collaborate across hardware and software teams, and mentor junior engineers while delivering high-quality, secure software for space applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of embedded software development in C/C++ for Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal.
• Strong proficiency in C++ OO design and implementation.
• Hands-on embedded debugging with SW/HW tools (JTAG, SWD, CoreSight, Lauterbach/Trace32, J-Link, J-Trace).
• Experience with peripherals (SPI, I3C, I2C, PCIe, CAN).
• CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and Test‑Driven Development.
• Experience leading software teams and mentoring junior engineers.
• Experience with Agile or Scaled Agile.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop multi-threaded embedded software in C/C++ for Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal on multi-core SoCs.
• Implement drivers and control/data-plane functions for Satellite RF, Antenna, and Optical systems on TeraWave.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate software with hardware.
• Contribute to documentation, code reviews, and design discussions.
• Troubleshoot using telemetry, logs, and debugging tools.
• Promote CI/CD, testing automation, and TDD practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive technical excellence.

Skills

Embedded software development

C/C++ programming

Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal

CI/CD

Mentoring juniors

Agile development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

JTAG

SWD

CoreSight

Lauterbach/Trace32

J-Link

J-Trace

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. This role is part of the Emerging Systems business unit, which is focused on developing cutting-edge space technologies including TeraWave, Blue Origin's revolutionary space-based networking system. TeraWave is designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps, providing connectivity to locations unreachable by traditional methods and adding a space-based layer to existing network infrastructure. As a Software Engineer, you will play a vital leadership role within a team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, significantly contributing to the control and data plane architecture of the constellation. Your role will involve utilizing your expertise in software development for constrained environments, real-time operating systems, high-speed handling of data, and encryption to develop and maintain complex software solutions. You will guide software development and optimization efforts, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal quality and performance of our systems. Your ability to innovate, provide architectural direction, and deliver efficient solutions is crucial to managing the entire development process. Successful senior engineers not only meet complex requirements but also propose and implement innovative, cutting‑edge solutions.

Special Mentions

This role will be onsite in one of these locations – Greater Seattle Area, WA and Bay Area, CA. It is approved for temporary remote work exception while our local site is developed. Relocation assistance available. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop multi-threaded embedded software in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms, hosted on multi-core SoCs.
• Implement custom device drivers and management/control/data plane functions for Satellite RF transceivers, Antenna systems and Optical systems on TeraWave’s Satellite Payload, Customer terminals and Ground Gateway Terminals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate software with hardware systems.
• Contribute to technical documentation, code reviews, and design discussions.
• Troubleshoot problems and debug issues using telemetry, logs/traces, code instrumentation, and software and hardware debugging tools.
• Champion embedded software development, testing and troubleshooting best practices – including CI/CD, test and data analysis automation, TDD.
• Deliver with speed and quality, and mentor junior software engineers, fostering technical excellence and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in embedded software development in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms.
• Strong proficiency in C++ object-oriented design and implementation.
• Hands‑on expertise in embedded systems debugging using SW and HW tools (JTAG, SWD, CoreSight, Lauterbach/Trace32, J‑Link, J‑Trace etc.).
• Experience with developing applications that use standard peripherals – SPI, I3C, I2C, PCIe, CAN etc.
• Experience with with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and Test‑Driven Development.
• Experience leading software development teams and mentoring junior engineers.
• Experience with Agile or Scaled Agile development methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in embedded software development for mission‑critical systems.
• Experience with Linux networking and inter‑core/processor communications between applications that use high‑speed data‑plane interfaces – Ethernet, Interlaken, JESD etc.
• Experience in developing embedded software in or more of these areas - satellite communications systems, space‑based networks, cellular wireless, terrestrial telecommunications systems.
• Experience with developing drivers for proprietary and merchant silicon.
• Experience with formal verification methods for safety‑critical software.
• Knowledge of radiation‑hardened computing environments and related software considerations.

Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80 WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80 Other site ranges may differ.

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%.
• 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 Affidavit of Participation 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.

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