Blue Origin

Satellite Software and Autonomy Engineer III - TeraWave

Blue Origin$119K — $167K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in mission automation, FDIR, mission sequencing, or onboard autonomy for satellite systems
  • Proficient in translating fault detection/response requirements into flight software implementation
  • Familiarity with continuous integration (CI) and automated software testing
  • Experience with software configuration tools such as Git
  • Hands-on experience developing real-time flight software and test scripts
  • Skills in programming with C/C++, Python, and data formats such as XML, YAML, or JSON

Responsibilities

  • Define and document onboard autonomy behavior across subsystems
  • Develop onboard fault detection and response logic
  • Integrate flight software for fault management and autonomy applications
  • Create mission sequencing and mode management logic for satellite operations
  • Collaborate with various engineering subsystems
  • Execute verification and validation testing for autonomy systems
  • Partner with Systems Engineering on critical analyses and operations

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
  • Paid parental leave and disability coverage
  • 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match
  • Stock options for regular employees
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off plus 14 company holidays
  • Potential eligibility for bonuses based on individual performance and company results
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.

We are seeking a Satellite Software and Autonomy Engineer III to design, develop, integrate, and verify applications for TeraWave's onboard fault management, mission sequencing, mode management, and autonomy systems. This role will be instrumental in building robust, scalable flight software to support the growth of TeraWave into a 5,408-vehicle constellation. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with experience in fault management, mission sequencing, flight software, system-level testing, and cross-subsystem integration.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Define and document integrated onboard autonomy behavior across subsystem interfaces, including fault responses, mode transitions, command sequences, telemetry expectations, and operational constraints


  • Develop onboard fault detection, isolation, and response logic across multiple satellite subsystems, including fault monitors, persistence logic, inhibits, recovery actions, response sequencing, and escalation paths


  • Develop and integrate flight software for fault management and system-level autonomy applications and parameters


  • Develop onboard mission sequencing and mode management logic for key mission phases, satellite modes, and nominal/contingency mode transitions


  • Collaborate across subsystems including Flight Software, Avionics, GN&C, Electrical Power, C&DH, Propulsion, RF/Communications, and Thermal


  • Develop and execute verification and validation scripts, including fault injection, scenario-based testing, telemetry validation, and regression testing, to ensure onboard autonomy meets requirements and operational needs


  • Partner with Systems Engineering on Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Mission Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and System Hazards Analyses to inform onboard autonomy design


  • Develop and maintain table-driven flight software parameters supporting FDIR, sequencing, and mode management, such as limit tables, fault response tables, command sequences, and mode transition tables


  • Partner with mission operations and fleet management teams to ensure onboard autonomy, telemetry, commanding, and recovery behavior support scalable operations across the constellation


Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field


  • 5+ years of experience developing mission automation, FDIR, mission sequencing, onboard autonomy, or related real-time software for satellite or space vehicle systems


  • Demonstrated ability to translate subsystem-level fault detection/response requirements into flight software implementation, working directly with subsystem SMEs


  • Experience with continuous integration (CI) systems and automated software testing


  • Experience with software configuration control tools such as Git or similar


  • Experience developing FDIR, mission sequencing, or onboard autonomy across multiple subsystems


  • Experience developing, integrating and/or testing real-time flight software


  • Experience with software development and/or integration using C/C++, Python, and structured configuration/data formats such as XML, YAML, JSON, or similar


  • Experience developing test scripts and performing telemetry analysis


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with satellite flight and/or ground operations
  • Experience working in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and/or Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) lab environments
  • Experience developing deterministic nominal and contingency autonomy for major mission phases or modes
  • Experience integrating with avionics systems and communications protocols
  • Experience managing flight software parameter/configuration changes through formal review, verification, release, and operational deployment processes
  • Experience developing satellite or space vehicle autonomy through the full lifecycle, including flight operations
  • Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama) for tracing fault management and sequencing requirements to implementation
  • Experience supporting anomaly investigation and root cause analysis for onboard autonomy or FDIR behavior during test or flight operations
  • Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA
  • Experience designing, evaluating, and simulating state machines, mode managers, sequencing engines, or rule-based autonomy systems
  • Experience interfacing with simulation frameworks such as Trick Sim or comparable frameworks


Base Pay Range for:
CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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.

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.


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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