Principal Wireless Software Engineer – TeraWave Networking

Application close date:

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!  

As a Principal Wireless Software Engineer, you will serve as a technical cornerstone of our networking team as we move from concept to orbital reality. You will architect the wireless protocols that allow our satellites to function as a unified, high-performance fabric. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on the intelligence driving our wireless system, where you will not simply implement existing standards, but architect a custom, high-efficiency Media Access Control (MAC) layer capable of managing multi-gigabit throughput in a highly dynamic, non-terrestrial environment.

You will lead the technical strategy for orchestrating wireless resources, ensuring low-latency packet delivery, and integrating wireless technologies into a cohesive, space-hardened network.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the design and end-to-end ownership of custom wireless MAC protocols specifically optimized for high-velocity LEO satellite links, including inter-satellite and ground-to-space applications
• Develop sophisticated resource allocation, scheduling, and interference mitigation algorithms that leverage principles from 3GPP, WiFi, and WiMAX, optimized for orbital dynamics
• Architect high-speed dataplanes using frameworks such as DPDK or VPP, ensuring the software stack can handle massive throughput with minimal jitter and CPU overhead
• Collaborate closely with PHY and RF teams to define the software-hardware interface, ensuring tight integration between signal processing and protocol logic
• Define the technical roadmap for the wireless stack, performing trade-off analyses between latency, reliability, and spectral efficiency
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to senior and staff-level engineers, driving best practices in embedded software and wireless systems design

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 12+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking
• 5+ years in a principal or lead architectural role
• Deep expertise in the fundamentals of wireless communication systems, including modulation, coding, link budget analysis, and multi-user access schemes
• Extensive experience designing and implementing MAC and PHY layers across standards such as 3GPP (4G/5G), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), or 802.16 (WiMAX)
• Expert-level C/C++ skills within Linux-based real-time (RTOS) or high-performance user-space environments
• Proven track record of building high-performance packet processing engines and managing low-level memory and buffer architectures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience developing flight or ground software for LEO/MEO satellite constellations such as Starlink, Project Kuiper, or OneWeb
• Experience designing proprietary wireless protocols beyond off-the-shelf standards for specialized hardware environments
• Familiarity with Software Defined Networking (SDN) principles as applied to wireless backhaul and core networks

Compensation Range for:

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.