Senior Wireless Software Engineer - MAC Layer - TeraWave

Blue Origin; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 248,830 - 348,361; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Wireless Software Engineer for Spacecraft Systems to lead the design and implementation of a custom MAC layer for the TeraWave initiative. You will shape how satellites communicate with each other and with ground stations, delivering high-performance, low-latency, space-grade wireless protocols.

Collaborating with PHY and network teams, you will optimize MAC architectures, drive decisions on framing, access models, QoS, and handovers across thousands of beams, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, EE, or related field.
• 7+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking or embedded systems.
• Proficiency in C and C++ on Linux RTOS or high-performance user-space environments.
• Deep understanding of wireless MAC fundamentals, including framing, contention vs scheduled access, QoS prioritization.
• Experience with the full lifecycle of a wireless protocol stack, from architectural design through hardware integration and field testing.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement MAC protocols for satellite links.
• Develop TDMA and DAMA schedulers with microsecond precision.
• Implement ARQ and AMC error control and fast adaptation.
• Enable make-before-break handovers between satellites and ground stations.
• Optimize MAC-to-data-path interfaces with DPDK/VPP for zero-copy paths.
• Collaborate with PHY and network teams to meet performance targets.
• Lead MAC development from design to testing and deployment.

Skills

C/C++

Linux RTOS

Wireless networking

Embedded systems

MAC layer design

TDMA/DAMA scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE or related field

Tools

DPDK

VPP

eBPF

ns-3

FPGA interfacing

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.

As a Senior Wireless Software Engineer for Spacecraft Systems, you will lead the design and implementation of a custom Media Access Control (MAC) layer for Blue Origin's groundbreaking TeraWave initiative.

You will build the logic that governs how satellites communicate with each other and with the ground, creating a system that matches or exceeds the custom protocols seen in leading commercial constellations. This is not a standard wireless implementation role-in the TeraWave network, the MAC layer is the core intelligence of the system.

This role requires close collaboration with PHY layer engineers and network architects to ensure the custom wireless stack delivers wire-like performance over space-based links, while addressing the unique challenges of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environments.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Architect and implement high-performance, low-overhead MAC protocols tailored for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint satellite links within the TeraWave constellation
• Develop sophisticated TDMA and demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) schedulers to manage bandwidth across thousands of beams with microsecond precision
• Implement robust error control, retransmission (ARQ), and adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) logic capable of reacting instantly to fading conditions and orbital transitions
• Build software logic for seamless make-before-break handovers between satellites and ground stations operating in high-velocity orbital environments
• Optimize the interface between the wireless MAC layer and high-speed packet processing engines such as DPDK and VPP, ensuring zero-copy data paths and minimal jitter
• Design MAC layer architectures for constellation-scale deployments, ensuring efficient performance as the TeraWave network grows to thousands of satellites
• Collaborate with PHY layer engineers and network architects to align custom wireless stack design with system-level TeraWave performance requirements
• Drive technical decision-making related to MAC layer architecture, including framing strategies, contention versus scheduled access models, flow control, and QoS prioritization frameworks
• Lead MAC protocol development through the full lifecycle, from custom state machine design and simulation through hardware integration and field testing

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• 7+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking or embedded systems
• Mastery of C and C++ in Linux real-time (RTOS) or high-performance user-space environments
• Deep understanding of wireless MAC fundamentals, including framing, contention versus scheduled access, flow control, and QoS prioritization
• Demonstrated experience with the full lifecycle of a wireless protocol stack, from architectural design through hardware integration and field testing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work on custom MAC or link layers for satellite constellations, 3GPP/4G/5G, or similar non-terrestrial network programs
• Experience with user-space networking frameworks such as DPDK, VPP, or eBPF for line-rate packet processing
• Proficiency in building or using network simulators such as ns-3 to model protocol performance under various orbital conditions
• Familiarity with interfacing software with FPGAs or custom SoC accelerators for hardware-accelerated MAC functions

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65 WA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65

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 Affidavit Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.