Sr Comms System and Modem Engineer- Terawave

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 323,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k)

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin in Washington state is seeking a Sr Comms System and Modem Engineer to advance the Terawave satellite communications network. You will develop and optimize PHY, modem, and DSP algorithms for high-throughput systems and work across ASIC, firmware, RF, and system teams from modeling to validation.

The role requires 10+ years in communications, strong background in digital communications and OFDM, and hands-on MATLAB/Python/C/C++ experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years in communications systems, modem design, DSP, or related.
• Strong fundamentals in digital communications and signal processing.
• Hands-on experience with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools.
• Knowledge of OFDM-based systems, synchronization, channel estimation, and equalization.
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize PHY, modem, and DSP algorithms for high-throughput satellite systems.
• Model and analyze channels and impairments; assess performance vs complexity.
• Develop MATLAB, Python, C/C++, and system-level models for evaluation.
• Collaborate with ASIC, RF, firmware, and system teams from design to validation.
• Support pre-silicon verification, prototyping, and post-silicon validation of modem algorithms.
• Evaluate end-to-end system performance and improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical guidance on modem and communications-system architecture decisions.

Skills

DSP algorithms

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

OFDM systems

System simulations

Cross-team work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Master's degree or Ph.D. in related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Simulation tools

Job description

Sr Comms System and Modem Engineer- Terawave

life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k), stock options

United States, Washington, Seattle

Sep 02, 2026

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.

Job Description

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will develop and optimize communications systems and modem algorithms for the TeraWave system. You will work across communications theory, DSP algorithm development, system modeling, and modem performance analysis to develop algorithms for high-throughput satellite communication systems.

This is a hands-on senior technical role working closely with modem architecture, ASIC, firmware, RF, and system engineering teams from algorithm development and simulation through implementation and system validation.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided

• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and optimize PHY, modem, and DSP algorithms for high-throughput satellite communication systems.

• Develop algorithms for synchronization, carrier and sampling frequency offset estimation and compensation, channel estimation, equalization, SNR estimation, modulation/demodulation, and other modem signal-processing functions.

• Develop MATLAB, C/C++, Python, or equivalent system-level models to evaluate modem algorithms and end-to-end communication-system performance.

• Model and analyze communication channels and impairments, including noise, fading, interference, frequency and phase errors, nonlinearities, and RF impairments.

• Evaluate modem architecture and algorithm tradeoffs across performance, complexity, throughput, latency, and implementation.

• Work closely with ASIC, RF, firmware, and system engineering teams to translate modem algorithms into the TeraWave implementation.

• Support pre-silicon verification, prototyping, system integration, and post-silicon validation of modem algorithms.

• Analyze end-to-end system performance and identify opportunities to improve modem and link performance.

• Provide technical guidance and contribute to key modem and communications-system architecture decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• 10+ years of experience in communications systems, modem design, signal processing, or DSP algorithm development.

• Strong understanding of digital communications and signal processing fundamentals.

• Strong hands-on experience developing and simulating communications and DSP algorithms using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools.

• Strong understanding of OFDM-based communication systems, including synchronization, channel estimation, equalization, modulation/demodulation, and frequency-domain signal processing.

• Experience developing and evaluating modem/PHY algorithms in end-to-end communication-system simulations.

• Understanding of practical RF and channel impairments and their impact on modem performance.

• Ability to work across modem, RF, ASIC, firmware, and system engineering teams.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Communications, Signal Processing, or a related field.

• Deep experience with modem PHY and DSP algorithm development for wireless, cellular, satellite, or broadband communication systems.

• Experience with carrier/timing synchronization, CFO/SFO estimation and compensation, channel estimation, equalization, SNR estimation, and impairment compensation.

• Experience with FEC, framing, OFDM waveform design, and adaptive modulation and coding.

• Experience with fixed-point modeling and implementation of DSP algorithms for FPGA or ASIC systems.

• Experience with RF and mixed-signal impairments, including phase noise, frequency offset, IQ imbalance, PA nonlinearities, ADC/DAC effects, and quantization.

• Experience with satellite or non-terrestrial communication systems.

• Familiarity with 3GPP PHY specifications and modern broadband wireless communication systems.

• Experience with pre-silicon simulation, FPGA prototyping, or post-silicon modem bring-up and validation.

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85 WA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85

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