Software Engineer III - TeraWave

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Stock options

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Software Engineer to join the Dataplane team and design high-performance, carrier-grade networking software powering the TeraWave PoP. You will build the network edge software that enables global connectivity, operating at the intersection of the Linux kernel and user-space networking.

The ideal candidate has strong C/C++ systems programming skills, Linux networking experience, and familiarity with DPDK/VPP, eBPF, and data-plane technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in systems programming with a track record of shipping carrier-grade networking software.
• Expert-level proficiency in C or C++.
• Strong experience with Linux systems programming including threading, memory management, and interrupt handling.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-performance packet processing applications in C/C++ using DPDK and FD.io VPP to power the TeraWave PoP Profile and optimize software to achieve line-rate performance at 100G/400G speeds while minimizing latency and jitter
• Implement and integrate IP routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS) and tunneling encapsulation headers including SRv6, MPLS, and GRE
• Develop drivers and software interfaces for hardware accelerators, SmartNICs, and FPGA-offload engines supporting the TeraWave dataplane
• Architect distributed dataplane systems capable of scaling horizontally across TeraWave PoP clusters
• Provide technical leadership, conduct in-depth code reviews, and mentor junior engineers on low-level systems programming
• Collaborate with platform, hardware, and network engineering teams to define dataplane software requirements and interfaces
• Drive continuous performance benchmarking and optimization of packet forwarding pipelines
• Contribute to software architecture decisions and technology selection for the TeraWave network edge infrastructure

Skills

C/C++

Systems programming

Linux networking

Carrier-grade networking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

DPDK

VPP

eBPF

XDP

Job description

Software Engineer

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. We are seeking a Software Engineer to join our Dataplane team and design the high-performance, fast-path software that powers the TeraWave Point of Presence (PoP). This role will be instrumental in building the network edge software that enables the TeraWave constellation to deliver revolutionary global connectivity, operating at the critical intersection of the Linux kernel and user-space networking.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in systems programming, high-performance packet processing, and carrier-grade networking software, thriving in an environment where microsecond-level performance and mission-critical reliability are non-negotiable.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-performance packet processing applications in C/C++ using DPDK and FD.io VPP to power the TeraWave PoP Profile and optimize software to achieve line-rate performance at 100G/400G speeds while minimizing latency and jitter
• Implement and integrate IP routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS) and tunneling encapsulation headers including SRv6, MPLS, and GRE
• Develop drivers and software interfaces for hardware accelerators, SmartNICs, and FPGA-offload engines supporting the TeraWave dataplane
• Architect distributed dataplane systems capable of scaling horizontally across TeraWave PoP clusters
• Provide technical leadership, conduct in-depth code reviews, and mentor junior engineers on low-level systems programming
• Collaborate with platform, hardware, and network engineering teams to define dataplane software requirements and interfaces
• Drive continuous performance benchmarking and optimization of packet forwarding pipelines
• Contribute to software architecture decisions and technology selection for the TeraWave network edge infrastructure

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in systems programming with a demonstrated track record of shipping carrier-grade networking software
• Expert-level proficiency in C or C++
• Strong experience with Linux systems programming including threading, memory management, and interrupt handling
• Solid understanding of the OSI model, TCP/IP stack, and Ethernet switching fundamentals

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) or VPP (Vector Packet Processing)
• Knowledge of eBPF, XDP, or Linux Kernel networking internals
• Experience working with Mellanox/NVIDIA (MLNX_OFED), Intel E810, or Broadcom DNX-based silicon
• Deep understanding of BGP, EVPN, and Segment Routing (SRv6)
• Experience with CPU pinning, NUMA-awareness, and cache-line optimization techniques
• Experience with containerized networking including Kubernetes CNI and DPDK-in-Docker deployments
• Background in space systems, satellite communications, or telecommunications networking

Salary

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

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

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 life insurance
• Supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short-term disability
• 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 weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
• Company-paid holidays: up to 14
• 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’sAffirmative Action 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 Background

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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