Senior Satellite Simulation & Test Software Engineer - Terawave Software

Senior Satellite Simulation & Test Software Engineer - Terawave

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Compensation: $197,529 - 276,540 USD / year

About The Role

Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. The project involves a multi-orbit constellation of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO). This role will be instrumental in designing, developing, and verifying simulation environments and models for testing TeraWave’s satellite flight software subsystem. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on engineer experienced with spacecraft command and data handling (C&DH), telecommand and telemetry processing, hardware I/O interfaces, and the physics of spacecraft systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement simulation software for testing and verifying TeraWave's flight software.
• Collaborate with test team leads to develop a simulation environment that can be deployed on multiple platforms to support software‑only test, HWIL test, real‑time environment tests, and spacecraft AI&T.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and autonomy engineers to understand software requirements, interfaces, and behavioral boundaries across subsystems.
• Develop and integrate simulation environments and models to test FSW across a range of nominal and off‑nominal operational scenarios.
• Participate in software integration, verification, and validation testing including software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) environments.
• Support on‑orbit operations and troubleshoot 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.
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft software, simulation software, or embedded software development.
• Proven experience with architecture and development of simulation environments for flight or embedded systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the technical architecture of a complex software system.
• Understanding of deterministic lockstep simulation design coupling algorithms with representative models, with consideration of synchronization and repeatability.
• Some knowledge of GN&C sensor and actuator suite modeling (e.g., IMU, star tracker, magnetometer, reaction wheel assembly, magnetic torque rods).
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, and Python.
• Solid understanding of Object‑Oriented problem solving and software layering to facilitate modularity and reuse.
• 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 software lifecycle, configuration management (Git), CI/CD, and containerized environments.
• Experience with verification/validation practices for mission‑critical embedded software systems.
• Understanding of flight software/hardware interfaces including discrete I/O, 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++.
• 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 in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with simulation environments such as NASA's Trick.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and propagation models.
• Familiarity with CCSDS standards for spacecraft telecommand and telemetry processing.
• Some experience with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) such as Linux, QNX, VxWorks, RTEMS or equivalent.
• Experience with onboard time management, precision timing interfaces, or GPS‑disciplined time synchronization.
• Familiarity with NASA cFS software architecture.
• Familiarity with spacecraft FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Response) concepts.

Benefits

• 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.
• Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).
• Paid Time Off: Up to four 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 bonuses and other discretionary benefits based on company policy.

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 workforce. 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 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.