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Principal FPGA Designer – TeraWave Verified today

Blue Origin · Seattle, WA · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-11
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About TeraWave

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.

The Role

We are seeking a Principal FPGA Designer to lead the design, development, and verification of complex FPGA-based systems supporting high-speed data processing, communications, and signal processing applications. You will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your contributions will directly shape next-generation space systems. As part of a small, nimble team, you will take ownership of deliverables from concept through flight.

Responsibilities

  • Lead FPGA designs through the full development lifecycle: requirements capture, architecture definition, RTL design, functional simulation, synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, and hardware bring-up
  • Comply with and refine FPGA design methodologies, coding standards, and best practices throughout the development process
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive verification environments, including testbenches, constrained-random stimulus, and functional coverage models
  • Partner closely with other program stakeholders to define interfaces and ensure end-to-end system performance
  • Support hardware integration and troubleshooting efforts, including lab board bring-up and debug
  • Conduct and participate in design reviews (preliminary, critical, and peer-level) and provide constructive technical feedback
  • Mentor and develop junior and mid-level FPGA engineers; provide technical direction and foster a culture of engineering excellence
  • Evaluate and select FPGA devices, IP cores, EDA tools, and vendor solutions to meet program requirements
  • Contribute to program planning by providing accurate development estimates, identifying technical risks, and proposing opportunities and risk mitigation strategies
  • Develop and maintain design documentation, interface control documents, and test plans in compliance with program configuration management standards
  • Support qualification, acceptance testing, production and on-orbit operations as needed
  • Include features to support DFT and DFM for a high-volume production environment

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • 12+ years of hands-on FPGA design and verification experience, with demonstrated leadership at a principal or senior level
  • Proficiency in VHDL, Verilog and SystemVerilog for RTL design and simulation
  • Experience with industry-standard FPGA families (AMD Versal, IGLOO and equivalent devices)
  • Demonstrated experience with toolchains for synthesis, P&R, and timing analysis
  • Strong understanding of high-speed digital design principles, including signal integrity, clock domain crossings, and SERDES-based interfaces (e.g., PCIe, GTH/GTY transceivers)
  • Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) architectures implemented in FPGAs
  • Familiarity with hardware/software co-design and embedded processor integration (e.g., AMD Versal devices)
  • Demonstrated ability to close complex timing constraints and optimize resource utilization
  • Experience with simulation and verification methodologies and tools
  • Experience working in a structured engineering environment with configuration management, formal design reviews, and requirements traceability
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • Familiarity with space-grade design practices, including single-event effect (SEE) mitigation strategies such as TMR, scrubbing, and fault detection
  • Experience with high-speed communications systems or modem development in FPGAs
  • Hands-on experience with formal verification tools or UVM-based constrained-random verification environments
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring and technically developing FPGA engineers
  • Previous experience in a space, defense, or satellite communications program environment

Compensation

Base pay range for Washington applicants: $249,235.00 to $348,928.65. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Short and long-term disability
  • 401(k) with company match up to 5%
  • Education Support Program
  • Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
  • Paid time off: up to 4 weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays

Employment Requirements

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

A standard background check is required for all positions.