Principal Modem SoC 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.

The Principal Modem SoC Design Engineer serves as a technical authority for the design of advanced ASICs enabling next-generation Satellite communication systems. This role is responsible for crafting architecture, guiding implementation strategy, and driving critical technical decisions across one or more silicon programs.

Responsibilities

• Define top-level or cross-subsystem digital architecture for Satellite communication ASICs and SoCs.
• Lead hardware realization of key communication functions such as modem pipelines, coding engines, digital beamforming, switching fabrics, and packet/data processing.
• Drive end-to-end technical planning from concept through silicon validation.
• Establish system-level tradeoffs among throughput, latency, power, die area, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Provide technical leadership across design, verification, physical design, firmware, packaging, and system teams.
• Review and influence architectural partitioning between ASIC, FPGA, software, and RF/analog domains.
• Develop methodologies and reusable IP strategies that improve schedule, quality, and scalability.
• Mentor technical leaders and act as a go-to expert for critical design reviews and issue resolution.
• Support roadmap planning and future product definition.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of ASIC design experience, including ownership of complex chips or multiple tape-outs.
• Expert-level knowledge of digital design, microarchitecture, and full-chip tradeoffs.
• Proven success leading technically exciting silicon programs.
• Strong understanding of communication signal-processing hardware and system integration.
• Ability to influence across organizations and communicate complex technical topics clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise in Space based communications, digital modems, phased arrays, or payload processing.
• Experience in advanced FEC architectures, timing recovery, carrier recovery, or channel adaptation hardware.
• Familiarity with rad-hard, fault-tolerant, or high-availability digital design techniques.
• Experience guiding architecture across both commercial and mission-critical applications.
• Strong record of innovation, patents, publications, or major product launches.

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85 WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85

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 (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.

• 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.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.