Software Development Engineer III - Network & SDN - TeraWave

Blue Origin Personnel, LLC; California; Hybrid; USD 207,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Software Engineer for Network Architecture and SDN to design and implement a space-based network for a 5,408-satellite constellation. You will work on routing, traffic management, and resilience, collaborating with senior engineers to build a scalable, high-performance system for orbital speeds and demanding latency budgets.

You will mentor junior engineers and integrate with RF and Silicon teams, delivering self-healing, observable networks in a harsh space environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Five+ years of experience in software development for networks, distributed systems, or telecommunications.
• Experience implementing SDN controllers and programmable data planes such as P4, OpenFlow, or proprietary frameworks.
• Experience implementing network solutions for wireless, cloud, or service provider networks.
• Experience developing software for mission-critical systems in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop routing solutions, topology management, and fast-reroute mechanisms for time-varying LEO constellations.
• Implement SDN frameworks across centralized and distributed control planes.
• Develop self-healing network logic driven by real-time telemetry for congestion management and fault isolation.
• Develop observability components using in-band and out-of-band telemetry for packet-level visibility and flow tracing.
• Implement packet forwarding solutions that optimize latency and throughput under power constraints.

Skills

SDN experience

Networking architecture

Programmable data planes

OpenFlow

Software development for networks

Satellite/space networks knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE or related

Master's degree in CS/EE or related

Tools

P4

OpenFlow

SDN controllers

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 connectivity with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

About This Role

As a Software Engineer for Network Architecture and SDN at TeraWave, you contribute technical expertise to the design and implementation of the network that operates our multi-orbit constellation of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites. You develop a dynamic, self-healing network that functions at orbital speeds, supporting inter-satellite links that move at 27,000 km/h and seamless handoffs for users on the ground, all within strict power and latency budgets. You apply expertise in networking architecture and software-defined networking to build critical components of our space-based communications system. You collaborate with principal engineers and technical leaders on routing, traffic management, and network resilience, and you mentor junior engineers on networking best practices. In this role, you will apply your strong expertise in networking architecture and software-defined networking to develop critical components of our space-based communications system. You will collaborate with principal engineers, senior software developers, and technical leaders to implement innovative approaches to routing, traffic management, and network resilience. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced communications technology and orbital mechanics, making significant technical contributions to a revolutionary system.

Responsibilities

• Develop routing solutions, topology management, and fast-reroute mechanisms tailored for time-varying LEO satellite constellations.
• Implement software-defined networking frameworks that support centralized and distributed control planes across the constellation.
• Implement self-healing network logic where real-time telemetry drives automated congestion management and fault isolation.
• Develop observability components using in-band and out-of-band telemetry for packet-level visibility and flow-level tracing.
• Implement packet forwarding solutions that operate reliably in space, optimizing latency and throughput under power constraints.
• Support cross-layer optimization with RF and Silicon teams to ensure mobility across beams and satellites.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Five or more years of experience in software development for networks, distributed systems, or telecommunications.
• Experience implementing SDN controllers and programmable data planes such as P4, OpenFlow, or proprietary frameworks.
• Experience implementing network solutions for wireless, cloud, or service provider networks.
• Experience developing software for mission-critical systems in production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with satellite communications networks or terrestrial and satellite hybrid networks.
• Knowledge of BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, and Segment Routing (SRv6 or SR-MPLS) in production network environments.
• Understanding of packet processing, ASIC or FPGA forwarding logic, and high-speed switching.
• Background in graph theory or network optimization, with modeling and simulation tools for network performance analysis.
• Contributions to networking projects, internally or open-source, and understanding of regulatory considerations for communications systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical written and verbal communication skills.

Base Pay Range

Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $207,416.00 - $290,381.70. 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.

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%
• 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 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,”

Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affluent Action and Disability Accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

Company Mission

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.

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.