Principal Comms System and Modem Engineer- Terawave

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! 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. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will develop and optimize communications systems and modem algorithms for the TeraWave system. You will work across communications theory, DSP algorithm development, system modeling, and modem performance analysis to develop algorithms for high-throughput satellite communication systems. This is a hands‑on senior technical role working closely with modem architecture, ASIC, firmware, RF, and system engineering teams from algorithm development and simulation through implementation and system validation. Special Mentions Relocation provided Interviews will include a technical assessment.

This role is based onsite in Cupertino, CA, San Diego, CA, Kent, WA, or Austin, TX. A temporary remote work exception is approved while our San Diego and Austin sites are being developed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and optimize PHY, modem, and DSP algorithms for high-throughput satellite communication systems.
• Develop algorithms for synchronization, carrier and sampling frequency offset estimation and compensation, channel estimation, equalization, SNR estimation, modulation/demodulation, and other modem signal-processing functions.
• Develop MATLAB, C/C++, Python, or equivalent system-level models to evaluate modem algorithms and end-to-end communication‑system performance.
• Model and analyze communication channels and impairments, including noise, fading, interference, frequency and phase errors, nonlinearities, and RF impairments.
• Evaluate modem architecture and algorithm tradeoffs across performance, complexity, throughput, latency, and implementation.
• Work closely with ASIC, RF, firmware, and system engineering teams to translate modem algorithms into the TeraWave implementation.
• Support pre‑silicon verification, prototyping, system integration, and post‑silicon validation of modem algorithms.
• Analyze end‑to‑end system performance and identify opportunities to improve modem and link performance.
• Provide technical guidance and contribute to key modem and communications‑system architecture decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in communications systems, modem design, signal processing, or DSP algorithm development.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and signal processing fundamentals.
• Strong hands‑on experience developing and simulating communications and DSP algorithms using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of OFDM‑based communication systems, including synchronization, channel estimation, equalization, modulation/demodulation, and frequency‑domain signal processing.
• Experience developing and evaluating modem/PHY algorithms in end‑to‑end communication‑system simulations.
• Understanding of practical RF and channel impairments and their impact on modem performance.
• Ability to work across modem, RF, ASIC, firmware, and system engineering teams.
• 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 or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Communications, Signal Processing, or a related field.
• Deep experience with modem PHY and DSP algorithm development for wireless, cellular, satellite, or broadband communication systems.
• Experience with carrier/timing synchronization, CFO/SFO estimation and compensation, channel estimation, equalization, SNR estimation, and impairment compensation.
• Experience with FEC, framing, OFDM waveform design, and adaptive modulation and coding.
• Experience with fixed‑point modeling and implementation of DSP algorithms for FPGA or ASIC systems.
• Experience with RF and mixed‑signal impairments, including phase noise, frequency offset, IQ imbalance, PA nonlinearities, ADC/DAC effects, and quantization.
• Experience with satellite or non‑terrestrial communication systems.
• Familiarity with 3GPP PHY specifications and modern broadband wireless communication systems.
• Experience with pre‑silicon simulation, FPGA prototyping, or post‑silicon modem bring‑up and validation.

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $269,175.00 - $376,843.95 WA applicants is $269,175.00 - $376,843.95 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

• 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%
• an Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• 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.

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Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request. We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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