Systems Architect - Payload - TeraWave
Blue Origin LLC
Seattle, WA
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JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time, Employee
SKILLS
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), Aerospace Engineering, Affirmative Action, Analog Circuit Design, Architectural Services, Best Practices, CDL Driver's License, Communication Skills, Communication Systems, Communications Architecture, Computer Engineering, Control Systems, Digital Circuit Design, Disability Accommodations, Electrical Engineering, Federal Laws and Regulations, Genetics, Government, Graphic Design, Hazardous Materials/Substances, Legal, Maintain Compliance, Material Moving, Medical Records, Military, Network Design, Network Operations Center, Onboarding, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Photonics, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Radio Frequency, Regulations, Requirements Management, Risk Management, Road Tests, SERDES, Satellite Communications, Semiconductors, Software Design, Software Development, State Laws and Regulations, System Architecture, System Integration (SI), System-on-a-Chip (SoC), Systems Administration/Management, Systems Analysis, Technical Leadership, Technical Support, Thermal Management, Trade Studies, United States Citizen, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX), Validation Testing, Wheel/Front-End Loader, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Seattle, WA
POSTED
30+ days ago
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!
This role is part of TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.
ilicon and Spacecraft Systems Architect
We are seeking a Silicon and Spacecraft Systems Architect to provide technical leadership for our revolutionary TeraWave satellite communications network. This role will be instrumental in developing integrated silicon and payload architectures for our constellation designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps globally. The ideal candidate brings expertise in ASIC/SoC architecture, spacecraft systems, and payload integration, thriving in a fast-paced environment where innovation meets mission-critical execution.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Develop and maintain the silicon and payload architecture for TeraWave's multi-orbit constellation of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites
Define chip-level requirements and interfaces between digital, analog, and RF subsystems within the spacecraft payload
Create architectural frameworks that integrate DSP cores, network processors, and RF front-ends with spacecraft bus systems
Lead technical trade studies to optimize silicon performance, power efficiency, and radiation tolerance within spacecraft constraints
Develop verification and validation strategies for complex mixed-signal ASICs integrated into satellite payloads
Collaborate with digital design, analog design, and spacecraft engineering teams to ensure architectural alignment
Identify and mitigate technical risks across silicon development and payload integration
Establish technical standards and best practices for ASIC/SoC development in spacecraft applications
Support technical reviews and ensure compliance with semiconductor and spacecraft design requirements
Develop models and simulations to validate end-to-end performance from silicon to spacecraft systems
Define partitioning strategies between ASICs, FPGAs, and discrete components within the payload architecture
Architect radiation-hardened silicon solutions optimized for spacecraft power, thermal, and mechanical constraints
Develop interface specifications between custom silicon and spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, and command & data handling
Minimum Qualifications:
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, with 10+ years of silicon design or spacecraft systems experience
Demonstrated experience in ASIC/SoC architecture for communications applications
Experience in the development of spacecraft payloads or satellite communications systems
Experience designing and analyzing complex silicon systems integrated with spacecraft subsystems
Strong understanding of digital and analog circuit design principles for space applications
Proficiency with architecture modeling tools and methodologies for both silicon and spacecraft systems
Excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
Experience with development in mission and safety-critical environments
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications:
M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
Experience with space-grade semiconductor development and qualification
Knowledge of radiation effects and mitigation techniques in silicon for LEO and MEO environments
Experience with high-speed SerDes and interface design for spacecraft applications
Background in spacecraft power systems and thermal management for high-performance computing
Experience with advanced packaging technologies optimized for space environments
Understanding of spacecraft attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) interfaces with communications payloads
Experience with optical payload integration and silicon photonics for space-based communications
Compensation Range for:
CA applicants is $213,677.00 - $299,147.10
WA applicants is $213,677.00 - $299,147.10
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.
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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.
California Applicant Privacy Notice
If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e. current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158. Learn more about the ITAR here.
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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation
Applicants wishing to view a copy of 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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.
About the Company
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