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Principal Software Engineer – TeraWave RF and Optical Systems Verified today

Blue Origin · 3 Locations · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-09-03
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About TeraWave

Blue Origin is pioneering space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. The multi-orbit constellation consists of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

The Role

As Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the control and data plane architecture of the constellation. You will provide architectural direction, drive software development and optimization efforts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across hardware, silicon, and systems engineering to deliver complex software solutions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own software architecture and design for one or more system areas; represent them in cross-team discussions with chief architects and peer technical leaders; conduct trade studies and develop prototypes to identify architectural options.
  • Collaborate with hardware, silicon, and systems engineering teams and lead integration campaigns to bring up system features, troubleshoot problems, and provide solutions.
  • Lead design and implementation of multi-threaded embedded software in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms, hosted on multi-core SoCs on the TeraWave satellite payload and ground terminals.
  • Define and develop strategies for scaling, fault-tolerance, and recovery.
  • Define performance KPIs (processing latencies, throughput, algorithmic efficiency) and develop methods for measurement and optimization of resources (compute, memory, storage, network, and I/O).
  • Contribute to technical documentation, code reviews, and system architecture decisions.
  • Champion embedded software development, testing, and troubleshooting best practices, including CI/CD, test and data analysis automation, and TDD.
  • Lead the team in delivering with speed and quality; mentor a team of highly skilled software engineers, fostering technical excellence and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 7+ years of deep experience in embedded software development in C/C++ to run on Linux/RTOS/Bare-metal platforms.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ object-oriented design and implementation.
  • Hands-on expertise in embedded systems debugging using software and hardware tools (JTAG, SWD, CoreSight, Lauterbach/Trace32, J-Link, J-Trace, etc.).
  • Experience with Linux networking and inter-core/processor communications between applications that use high-speed data-plane interfaces (Ethernet, Interlaken, JESD), DMA/RDMA, RoCE, etc.
  • Experience leading software development teams and mentoring senior engineers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • 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 PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in embedded software development for mission-critical systems.
  • Experience developing embedded software in one or more of these areas: satellite communications systems, space-based networks, cellular wireless, terrestrial telecommunications systems.
  • Experience with one or more of these areas: Software defined radios, RF transceivers and antenna systems control (preferably phased arrays, parabolic antennas), Optical transceivers (ACOs, DCOs).
  • Experience developing drivers for proprietary and merchant silicon (DSPs, mixed signal processors, modems, etc.).
  • Experience with formal verification methods for safety-critical software.
  • Knowledge of radiation-hardened computing environments and related software considerations.

Location and Work Arrangement

This role is onsite in one of these locations: Greater Seattle Area, WA; Bay Area, CA; San Diego, CA. Approved for temporary remote work exception while the local site is developed. Relocation assistance available. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Compensation

Base pay range for CA and WA applicants: $230,773.00 - $323,081.85. Other site ranges may differ.