Senior Wireless Software Engineer - MAC Layer - 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’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 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.You will build the logic that governs how satellites communicate with each other and with the ground, creating a system that matches or exceeds the custom protocols seen in leading commercial constellations. This is not a standard wireless implementation role—in the TeraWave network, the MAC layer is the core intelligence of the system.
This role requires close collaboration with PHY layer engineers and network architects to ensure the custom wireless stack delivers wire-like performance over space-based links, while addressing the unique challenges of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environments.
Architect and implement high-performance, low-overhead MAC protocols tailored for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint satellite links within the TeraWave constellation
Develop sophisticated TDMA and demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) schedulers to manage bandwidth across thousands of beams with microsecond precision
Implement robust error control, retransmission (ARQ), and adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) logic capable of reacting instantly to fading conditions and orbital transitions
Build software logic for seamless make-before-break handovers between satellites and ground stations operating in high-velocity orbital environments
Optimize the interface between the wireless MAC layer and high-speed packet processing engines such as DPDK and VPP, ensuring zero-copy data paths and minimal jitter
Design MAC layer architectures for constellation-scale deployments, ensuring efficient performance as the TeraWave network grows to thousands of satellites
Collaborate with PHY layer engineers and network architects to align custom wireless stack design with system-level TeraWave performance requirements
Drive technical decision-making related to MAC layer architecture, including framing strategies, contention versus scheduled access models, flow control, and QoS prioritization frameworks
Lead MAC protocol development through the full lifecycle, from custom state machine design and simulation through hardware integration and field testing
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
7+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking or embedded systems
Mastery of C and C++ in Linux real-time (RTOS) or high-performance user-space environments
Deep understanding of wireless MAC fundamentals, including framing, contention versus scheduled access, flow control, and QoS prioritization
Demonstrated experience with the full lifecycle of a wireless protocol stack, from architectural design through hardware integration and field testing
Previous work on custom MAC or link layers for satellite constellations, 3GPP/4G/5G, or similar non-terrestrial network programs
Experience with user-space networking frameworks such as DPDK, VPP, or eBPF for line-rate packet processing
Proficiency in building or using network simulators such as ns-3 to model protocol performance under various orbital conditions
Familiarity with interfacing software with FPGAs or custom SoC accelerators for hardware-accelerated MAC functions
Base Pay Range for:
CA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65 WA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65Don’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.
Description
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
- 7+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking or embedded systems
- Mastery of C and C++ in Linux real-time (RTOS) or high-performance user-space environments
- Deep understanding of wireless MAC fundamentals, including framing, contention versus scheduled access, flow control, and QoS prioritization
- Demonstrated experience with the full lifecycle of a wireless protocol stack, from architectural design through hardware integration and field testing
Base Pay Range for
CA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65 WA applicants is $248,830.00 - $348,361.65
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.
- How much does the Senior Wireless Software Engineer - MAC Layer - TeraWave at Blue Origin pay?
- The posting lists a range of $249K–$348K per year. Ranges reflect what Blue Origin publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Senior Wireless Software Engineer - MAC Layer - TeraWave role based?
- The role is based in Greater Seattle Area.
- What experience does Blue Origin expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a senior-level role, typically 5+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Blue Origin's Workday careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
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