Blue Origin

Director, Wireless/MAC Software – TeraWave

Blue Origin$233K — $327K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in wireless communications or networking software; 5+ years in a management role.
  • Deep technical knowledge of MAC layer design and L2/L3 protocols.
  • Proficient in high-performance networking software (C/C++, DPDK, VPP).
  • Strong strategic thinking to convert system requirements into technical strategies.
  • Exceptional collaboration skills for cross-departmental management.
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related; M.S./Ph.D. preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Own the roadmap for the wireless/MAC software stack and set the long-term strategy.
  • Build and mentor a high-performing team of wireless software engineers.
  • Align with cross-functional teams to integrate software into satellite architecture.
  • Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, focusing on reliability and reduced technical debt.
  • Guide the team in using advanced frameworks for optimal throughput and latency.
  • Balance performance targets with the constraints of satellite hardware.

Benefits

  • Access to pioneering technology in space communications.
  • Opportunity to lead a high-impact, innovative engineering team.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional leaders.
  • Commitment to employee development and mentorship.
  • Potential for growth within a rapidly advancing field.
Full Job Description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

This is a strategic leadership position that bridges the gap between deep technical innovation and organizational execution. You will set the technical vision for our custom Media Access Control (MAC) layers, manage the talent that builds these high-speed systems, and ensure our software stack can handle multi-gigabit throughput in the most challenging non-terrestrial environments.

You will not just manage delivery; you will foster a culture of engineering excellence, mentor technical leads, and partner with PHY/RF and Hardware teams to ensure cohesive system performance.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Leadership:Own the organizational roadmap for the wireless/MAC software stack. Define the long-term strategy for protocol development, resource allocation, and scheduling in a dynamic LEO environment.

  • Team Management & Mentorship:Build and scale a world-class team of wireless software engineers. Foster an environment of high performance, rigorous code quality, and continuous innovation.

  • Organizational Alignment:Partner with cross-functional leadership (PHY/RF, Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Ground Operations) to ensure the software stack is fully integrated into the broader satellite system architecture.

  • Operational Excellence:Drive the lifecycle of software development from requirements definition and architectural design through to space-qualified deployment. Ensure high reliability and minimal technical debt in mission-critical systems.

  • Technical Stewardship:Guide the team in leveraging state-of-the-art frameworks (e.g., DPDK, VPP) to achieve massive throughput and low latency. Oversee the adaptation of 3GPP/WiFi/WiMAX principles to meet unique orbital dynamics and constraints.

  • Constraint Management:Lead the team in balancing aggressive performance targets against the power, thermal, and compute constraints inherent to satellite hardware.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Experience:10+ years of experience in wireless communications or networking software, with at least 5+ years in a leadership/management role managing high-performing engineering teams.

  • Domain Expertise:Deep technical understanding of MAC layer design, L2/L3 networking protocols, and resource management algorithms.

  • Technical Fluency:Proven experience with high-performance networking software (C/C++, DPDK, VPP) and performance-critical systems.

  • Strategic Thinking:Demonstrated ability to translate complex system-level requirements into actionable, long-term technical strategies.

  • Collaboration:Strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record of successfully managing cross-departmental dependencies and stakeholder expectations.

  • Education:B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent; M.S. or Ph.D. in Wireless Communications or a related field is highly preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with satellite constellation design (LEO/MEO) or non-terrestrial networking (NTN).

  • Deep knowledge of 3GPP standards (5G NR, etc.) and their application in non-traditional environments.

  • Experience leading teams through the full software lifecycle, including deployment and post-launch maintenance in embedded/constrained environments.


Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $233,934.00 - $327,506.55

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.

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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