Blue Origin · 6 hours ago
Systems Architect - Payload - TeraWave
Greater Seattle Area
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$214K/yr - $299K/yr
10+ years expBlue Origin is a company focused on developing reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems. They are seeking a Silicon and Spacecraft Systems Architect to lead the technical development of their TeraWave satellite communications network, which aims to deliver high-speed data connectivity globally. The role involves creating silicon and payload architectures for a constellation of satellites and collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure effective system integration.
AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Benefits
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%
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.
Company
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an aerospace company that focuses on lowering the cost of spaceflight and helping to explore the solar system.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$185.35MKey Investors
NASAUnited States Space Force
2024-02-20Secondary Market
2024-01-24Undisclosed· $18M
2021-12-03Grant· $130M
Leadership Team
David Limp
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Collins
Vice President, Global Supply Chain
Recent News
2026-02-05
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