Principal Optical Terminal Comms Software Architect

Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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!

This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

Blue Origin's Blue National Security (BNS) team is building the next generation of space-based communications infrastructure, and we're looking for a Principal Optical Terminal Communications Software Architect to help lead that effort. In this role, you'll shape the software architecture powering advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) terminals and optical communication systems that will connect the world from space. Your work will directly influence the design, scalability, and mission readiness of systems operating in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningful technical leadership at the intersection of embedded software, communications systems, and space mission engineering.

What You'll Do

- Architect, develop, implement, verify, and integrate software for next-generation SDR terminals, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and mission readiness
- Design and develop SDR capabilities for spacecraft platforms, including waveform processing, modulation/demodulation, and communication protocol development
- Define platform-independent, reusable software frameworks, services, and design patterns that support multiple waveforms, data rates, modulation and coding configurations, and future system growth
- Partner with systems, hardware, and firmware engineers to analyze requirements and translate them into clear, detailed architectural specifications
- Establish software architecture standards, coding guidelines, design patterns, and review practices that promote maintainability and long-term system health
- Lead software design reviews, code reviews, and technical trade studies spanning performance, fault tolerance, redundancy, scalability, and portability
- Support software integration, verification, and validation across software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and other mission-representative test environments
- Build and improve software engineering infrastructure, including build systems, CI/CD pipelines, automated test frameworks, and debugging and diagnostic tooling
- Author and maintain technical documentation including software architecture descriptions, interface control documents, verification plans, and test procedures
- Design and implement secure over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities for spacecraft, including authenticated delivery, validation, rollback, version control, and safe on-orbit deployment

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- 10+ years of experience developing embedded and application software for SDR systems
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python; familiarity with additional languages is a plus
- Demonstrated technical depth across software design, implementation, and cross-functional integration
- Experience with software lifecycle management, configuration management, CI/CD pipelines, and verification/validation practices for mission-critical systems
- Working knowledge of communication protocols including TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, I2C, SPI, and RS-422/485
- Experience applying secure software development principles and cybersecurity best practices in embedded or mission-critical environments
- Hands-on experience with embedded software testing methodologies
- Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience developing software for satellite constellations, distributed space systems, or networked embedded platforms
- Knowledge of satellite communications systems, spacecraft networking, and high-throughput data handling
- Background in fault-tolerant computing, redundancy management, and resilient software architecture design
- Familiarity with communication satellite systems, optical inter-satellite links (OISL), or related networking technologies
- Experience designing secure OTA software update mechanisms for embedded or mission-critical systems
- Experience with software build systems, static analysis tools, code quality tooling, or automated verification frameworks for embedded systems

Base Pay Range for:
VA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25
CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85

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