Ground Software Architect - 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 are developing reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems with 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 pursuing the future of space-based communications with Tera Wave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will connect optically linked satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) to provide enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

Our Tera Wave business unit is seeking experienced personnel to join the Ground System team as the Tera Wave Ground Software Architect. We value safety and problem-solving, and this position will significantly impact the history of space and require commitment and attention to detail.

As the Ground Software Architect, you will work closely with Systems Engineering teams to support and guide software architecture, technology selection, and verification planning aligned with requirements and payload customer needs to operate the on-orbit satellite constellation. Strong software skills are needed to actively develop and mentor a team of mission operation software developers responsible for space-to-ground communications, command and control, mission planning, and flight dynamics for the Tera Wave constellation.

The role collaborates with the Sr. Manager of Ground Systems to meet cost, schedule, and technical priorities.

• Architect, design, implement, test, verify and deploy mission operations, safety-critical software systems, ensuring the success of the Tera Wave satellite constellation.
• Guide the development and implementation of operations software and ground system infrastructure.
• Perform trade studies to develop software tools in-house, adapt existing software, or purchase software to perform a function.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing spacecraft systems, infrastructure, and customers to define software requirements, architectures, and designs.
• Coordinate with mission system engineers to plan, develop, and lead system verification and qualification.
• Produce documentation for software architecture, design, verification plans, user manuals and training material.
• Support mission control software operations responsibilities during operator training; ground data system verification, validation and certification; spacecraft integration; and flight.
• Develop and integrate software components, including unit-level and system-level tests.

• B.S. or higher degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, aerospace engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of software development experience including production software development.
• Experience using tools such as DoDAF, UML, C4 Model, Software Design Patterns.
• Strong understanding of the principles and methods of engineering complex systems.
• Proven software development skills in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience in software build automation, continuous integration, configuration management, verification, and deployment.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Real-time flight operations
  • Mission planning, flight planning and timeline development
  • Spacecraft telemetry, commanding and sequencing
  • Operational fault management
• Experience with Agile software development processes and tools such as Confluence and Jira.

• Experience designing and developing software for space flight operations.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and Cloud Technologies
• Experience with communications protocols for space applications (e.g. CCSDS, DDS, etc.)
• Experience with spacecraft subsystems and associated subsystem software.
• Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS Next Generation (DNG)
• Familiarity with system safety analyses techniques including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Familiarity with version control, preferably Git
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.

Base Pay Range for WA applicants is $ - $. Other site ranges may differ.

Not meeting every desired qualification should not deter you from applying. We encourage qualified applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply and consider roles that fit their experience.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted…