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Satellite Flight Software Engineer III - TeraWave Verified today

Blue Origin · 3 Locations · Software · first seen 2026-09-29
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Role Overview

Blue Origin is seeking a Satellite Flight Software Engineer III to design, develop, and verify applications for TeraWave's satellite flight software subsystem. TeraWave is a revolutionary satellite communications network delivering symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth through optically interconnected LEO and MEO satellites. You will build robust, scalable flight software to support expansion of this 5,408-vehicle constellation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and implement flight software for command and data handling (C&DH), including command routing, onboard data management, telemetry generation, and subsystem control
  • Develop telecommand and telemetry processing software for uplink command validation, scheduling, execution, and health data collection and downlink management
  • Develop spacecraft time management software including onboard time correlation, GPS/GNSS synchronization, and precision timing distribution across subsystems
  • Create and maintain software interfaces between C&DH and other spacecraft subsystems for safe and secure vehicle operations
  • Collaborate with hardware, systems, and autonomy engineers to define software requirements, interfaces, and behavioral boundaries
  • Develop and integrate simulation environments and models to test flight software across nominal and off-nominal scenarios
  • Support software architecture, design reviews, and systems engineering trade studies
  • Participate in software integration, verification, and validation testing including software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)
  • Support on-orbit operations and troubleshooting of deployed spacecraft
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team technical development

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field
  • 5 or more years of experience in spacecraft flight software or embedded software development
  • Strong programming skills in C, C++, and Python
  • Solid understanding of Object-Oriented problem solving and software layering for modularity and reuse
  • Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as Linux, QNX, VxWorks, RTEMS or equivalent
  • Experience developing software for spacecraft avionics functions such as C&DH, telecommand and telemetry processing, or hardware I/O management
  • Familiarity with CCSDS standards for spacecraft telecommand and telemetry processing
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity principles for space systems including secure boot, command authentication, or encrypted communication links
  • Experience with software unit testing frameworks such as Google Test or equivalent for embedded C/C++ environments
  • Experience with inter-process communication (IPC) mechanisms including sockets, shared memory, message queues, or publish-subscribe middleware
  • Experience with cross-compilation toolchains and embedded Linux build systems such as CMake, Make, Yocto, or Buildroot
  • Experience with software lifecycle, configuration management (Git), CI/CD, and containerized environments
  • Experience with verification/validation practices for mission-critical embedded software systems
  • Experience with communication protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, I2C, SPI, and RS-422/485
  • Familiarity with static analysis tools and flight software coding standards such as MISRA C/C++

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
  • Experience with on-orbit spacecraft operations or satellite constellation management
  • Experience with over-the-air (OTA) software updates
  • Experience with onboard time management, precision timing interfaces, or GPS-disciplined time synchronization
  • Familiarity with NASA cFS, F Prime, or similar flight software frameworks
  • Familiarity with spacecraft FDIR and autonomy software components and their interfaces
  • Understanding of radiation effects on electronics and software-based mitigation techniques

Compensation

Base pay range varies by location: CA $164,652 to $230,512.80; CO $150,931 to $211,303.05; WA $164,652 to $230,512.80. Other site ranges may differ.

Employment Requirements

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

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Short and long-term disability
  • 401(k) with company match of up to 5%
  • Education Support Program
  • Stock options for regular employees (20+ hours/week)
  • Up to four weeks paid time off per year based on scheduled hours
  • Up to 14 company-paid holidays
  • Eligibility for performance-based bonuses and additional benefits dependent on role type and job level