Principal Software Engineer - Networking Architecture and SDN - TeraWave

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 Engineer for Network Architecture & SDN at TeraWave, you will be the primary architect behind the "brain" of our constellation, designing a dynamic, self-healing network that operates at orbital speeds across our multi-orbit constellation of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites. You will be solving for a topology that changes every second, managing inter-satellite links (ISLs) that move at 27,000 km/h, and ensuring seamless handoffs for users on the ground-all while maintaining strict power and latency budgets.

In this role, you will leverage your deep expertise in networking architecture and software-defined networking to create the foundation for a revolutionary space-based communications system. Networking in LEO is fundamentally different from terrestrial fiber, requiring innovative approaches to routing, traffic management, and network resilience. This position offers a rare opportunity to redefine networking for the space domain, working at the intersection of advanced communications technology and orbital mechanics.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end design of a hybrid space-ground transport network
• Define technical strategy for multi-hop routing, topology management, and fast-reroute strategies tailored for time-varying LEO constellations
• Drive capacity modeling that translates raw RF link characteristics into high-performance network-layer models
• Architect a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) framework to manage centralized and distributed control planes
• Implement real-time Traffic Engineering (TE) and policy enforcement to optimize data flow across constrained satellite payloads and terrestrial backbones
• Design programmable transport solutions that allow for rapid deployment of new protocols and features
• Build a world-class observability stack using in-band and out-of-band telemetry for packet-level visibility
• Develop "Self-Healing" network logic where real-time telemetry feeds directly into SDN controllers for automated congestion management and fault isolation
• Correlate flow-level tracing with link performance to ensure peak efficiency across the constellation
• Design packet forwarding architectures that survive the rigors of space, optimizing for latency and throughput under power-constrained environments
• Lead cross-layer optimization efforts, working alongside RF and Silicon teams to ensure seamless mobility across beams and satellites
• Act as the technical authority for networking across TeraWave, mentoring senior staff and influencing long-term hardware and software roadmaps

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 15+ years of experience in network architecture, large-scale distributed systems, or telecommunications
• Deep expertise in BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, and Segment Routing (SRv6/SR-MPLS) in complex, high-scale environments
• Proven track record of building or managing SDN controllers and programmable data planes (P4, OpenFlow, or proprietary frameworks)
• Deep understanding of packet processing, ASIC/FPGA forwarding logic, and high-speed switching
• Experience leading cross-domain architecture for satellite, wireless, or cloud-scale service provider networks
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with development in mission and safety-critical environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Direct experience with LEO/MEO satellite constellations or terrestrial/satellite hybrid networks
• Experience building large-scale telemetry pipelines and analytics for real-time network health
• Background in graph theory or dynamic topology optimization
• Track record of contributing to networking standards (IETF, IEEE) or open-source networking projects
• Experience with multi-orbit satellite constellation design and optimization
• Understanding of regulatory requirements for satellite communications systems
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies

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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.