Sr Software Engineer - Network & SDN - TeraWave

Blue Origin; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 249,000 - 348,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Stock options

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Network Engineer for Network Architecture & SDN in San Francisco to design and implement a dynamic space-ground transport network. You’ll work with leaders to deploy routing, TE, and observability for a multi-orbit constellation of thousands of satellites, balancing latency and power budgets while advancing orbital networking.

The role emphasizes SDN, programmable data planes, and cross‑layer optimization with RF and silicon teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years in network engineering, distributed systems, or telecommunications.
• Strong knowledge of BGP/IS-IS/OSPF and SRv6/SR‑MPLS in real networks.
• Experience with SDN controllers and programmable data planes (P4/OpenFlow).

Responsibilities

• Implement designs for key components of our hybrid space-ground transport network.
• Develop routing solutions, topology management, and fast-reroute for time-varying LEOs.
• Create capacity models translating RF link characteristics to network software.
• Implement SDN frameworks to support centralized and distributed control planes.
• Develop real-time TE and policy enforcement for constrained payloads and backbones.
• Develop programmable transport for deployment of new protocols and features.
• Develop observability stack components using in-band and out-of-band telemetry.
• Implement Self-Healing network logic with telemetry feeds to SDN controllers.
• Correlate flow-level tracing with link performance to improve efficiency.
• Implement packet forwarding solutions for space environments, optimizing latency and power.
• Support cross-layer optimization with RF and Silicon teams for mobility across beams.
• Provide technical guidance and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

BGP knowledge

IS-IS knowledge

SRv6/SR-MPLS

SDN controllers

programmable data planes (P4/OpenFlow)

packet processing understanding

high-speed switching

network solutions for wireless/cloud

analytical/problem-solving

communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

8+ years of network engineering experience

Tools

P4

OpenFlow

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.

As a Senior Network Engineer for Network Architecture & SDN at TeraWave, you will contribute significant technical expertise to the design and implementation of the "brain" of our constellation, developing a dynamic, self-healing network that operates at orbital speeds across our multi-orbit constellation of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites. You will work on solutions for a topology that changes every second, help design inter-satellite links (ISLs) that move at 27,000 km/h, and implement seamless handoffs for users on the ground—all while adhering to strict power and latency budgets.

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 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

• Implement designs for key components of our hybrid space-ground transport network
• Develop routing solutions, topology management systems, and fast-reroute mechanisms tailored for time-varying LEO constellations
• Create capacity models that translate raw RF link characteristics into effective network-layer implementations
• Implement Software-Defined Networking (SDN) frameworks to support centralized and distributed control planes
• Develop real-time Traffic Engineering (TE) and policy enforcement mechanisms to optimize data flow across constrained satellite payloads and terrestrial backbones
• Implement programmable transport solutions that allow for deployment of new protocols and features
• Develop components for the observability stack using in-band and out-of-band telemetry for packet-level visibility
• Implement "Self-Healing" network logic where real-time telemetry feeds into SDN controllers for automated congestion management and fault isolation
• Develop methods to correlate flow-level tracing with link performance to improve efficiency across the constellation
• Implement packet forwarding solutions that can operate reliably in space environments, optimizing for latency and throughput under power constraints
• Support cross-layer optimization efforts, working alongside RF and Silicon teams to ensure mobility across beams and satellites
• Provide technical guidance within your team and mentor junior engineers on networking best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experience in network engineering, distributed systems, or telecommunications
• Strong knowledge of BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, and Segment Routing (SRv6/SR-MPLS) in network environments
• Experience implementing or working with SDN controllers and programmable data planes (P4, OpenFlow, or proprietary frameworks)
• Solid understanding of packet processing, ASIC/FPGA forwarding logic, and high-speed switching
• Experience implementing network solutions for wireless, cloud, or service provider networks
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good technical written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with development in mission-critical environments

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Experience with satellite communications networks or terrestrial/satellite hybrid networks
• Knowledge of telemetry pipelines and analytics for network monitoring
• Background in graph theory or network optimization
• Contributions to networking projects, internally or open-source
• Familiarity with satellite communications systems
• Understanding of regulatory considerations for communications systems
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools for network performance analysis

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 affirmative 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.