Software Development Engineer III - Network & SDN - TeraWave

Blue Origin; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Stock options

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Software Engineer for Network Architecture and SDN to design and implement the network for a multi-orbit constellation of thousands of satellites. You will work on routing, telemetry, and resilience with senior engineers and cross-functional teams in a spaceflight environment.

You will contribute to timing, latency, and power budgeting while mentoring junior engineers and advancing our space-based communications stack using SDN and P4/OpenFlow frameworks.

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 for time-varying LEO satellite constellations.
• Implement SDN frameworks across centralized and distributed control planes.
• Create self-healing network logic using real-time telemetry.
• Develop observability components with in-band and out-of-band telemetry.
• Implement packet forwarding optimized for latency under power constraints.
• Collaborate with RF and Silicon teams to ensure mobility across beams and satellites.

Skills

Network architecture

SDN

Software development

Distributed systems

Production-grade software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

P4

OpenFlow

SDN controllers

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.

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 for:

CA applicants is $207,416.00 - $290,381.70 WA 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, 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 Affianative Action 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.