Principal Engineer – TeraWave RF and Optical Systems

Principal Engineer For Rf And Optical System Integration & Verification

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 Tera Wave, 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.

This role is part of the Emerging Systems business unit, which is focused on developing cutting-edge space technologies including Tera Wave, Blue Origin's revolutionary space-based networking system. Tera Wave is designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps, providing connectivity to locations unreachable by traditional methods and adding a space-based layer to existing network infrastructure.

As a Principal Engineer for RF and Optical System Integration & Verification, you will own the end-to-end integration, bring-up, and verification strategy for Tera Wave's RF and optical communications payloads, user/gateway terminals, and ground segment. You will be the technical authority who proves that the constellation's links work — from first light in an anechoic chamber and Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR), through hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) emulation of orbital dynamics, to on-orbit commissioning and steady-state flight operations.

This is a Principal-level individual contributor and technical leadership role. You will oversee systems and projects across a broad domain, directing system owners across multiple teams on the design, delivery, and planning of integration and verification capability with no day-to-day oversight. You will set the technical direction for how Blue Origin verifies space-based RF and optical links, drive operational excellence across organizational boundaries, and serve as an advisor to leadership and customers on advanced technical studies.

Success in this role means not only closing verification against complex requirements, but proactively identifying problems no one has yet identified and proposing novel, cutting-edge solutions where the path forward is not clear.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Technical Ownership & Architecture
• Integration, Bring-Up & Test Execution
• Simulation, Emulation & Automation
• Infrastructure, Anomaly Resolution & Operational Excellence
• Leadership & Influence

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in RF and/or optical communications system integration, test, and verification for complex hardware/software systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end I&V life cycles: requirements/Con Ops → design and simulation → lab/chamber verification → HITL emulation → field or on-orbit validation.
• Deep hands-on expertise with RF test and reference equipment (signal generators/analyzers, VNAs, oscilloscopes, channel emulators, noise/power meters, phase-noise analyzers) and with anechoic chamber, CATR, or OTA test methodologies.
• Strong working knowledge of link budgets and modem/PHY performance metrics (EVM, ACLR, PAPR, sensitivity, BER/BLER, MCS/FEC behavior, CFO/SFO, timing recovery).
• Experience with 3
  
  GPP NTN, Release 17+ callbox/UE emulation, DU/CU vendor evaluation, or hosted-payload integration on a satellite bus.
• Proficiency developing test automation and analysis software in Python and MATLAB/Simulink, with working knowledge of C/C++ and Linux-based test and networking environments.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams and mentoring senior engineers, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related…