Blue Origin · 8 hours ago
Firmware / Software Engineer - Optical Communications - TeraWave
Bay Area, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$165K/yr - $231K/yr
5+ years expBlue Origin is working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems. The Firmware/Software Engineer will design, implement, and validate embedded control software for optical communication links, focusing on low-level drivers and control systems.
AerospaceManufacturingNational SecurityRenewable Energy
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Define and implement embedded control for optical amplifiers: pump diode current/temperature control, TEC/heater loops (PID), interlocks, power sequencing, and calibration
Develop robust device drivers and interfaces for ADC/DAC, GPIO, timers, I2C/SPI/UART, and system level buses (e.g., CAN, RS422/485, SpaceWire/Ethernet as applicable)
Architect RTOS or baremetal applications, state machines, and fault detection/isolation/recovery (FDIR); implement safe states, and data logging
Bring up new hardware: bootloaders, board diagnostics, production test firmware, and hardwareintheloop (HIL) setups
Automate test and data analysis for lab characterization, regression, and manufacturing test
Ensure software quality: requirements and ICDs, code reviews, unit/integration testing, static analysis, and CI workflows
Support environmental and qualification testing (TVAC, vibration, shock) and correlate results to improve robustness
Collaborate on EMI/EMCaware firmware behaviors (timing, filtering, grounding strategies) and radiationtolerant practices (EDAC/ECC, resets, retry logic)
Qualification
Required
BS/MS in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
5+ years of embedded firmware experience delivering production hardware (MCU/SoC) with C/C++
Hands-on development with RTOS or baremetal systems, realtime control loops, and sensor/actuator interfacing
Proficiency with lowlevel peripherals (ADC/DAC, I2C/SPI/UART, timers/PWM) and board bringup
Experience authoring requirements, ICDs, and test plans; strong debugging skills with lab instruments (scope, logic analyzer, power supplies)
Version control (Git) and software quality practices (code reviews, unit testing, static analysis)
Preferred
Experience controlling laser/optical amplifier subsystems (pump drivers, photodiode feedback, TECs and safety interlocks) and related calibration
Experience with test automation and data processing; familiarity with PyVISA/SCPI and HIL frameworks
Interface experience with system buses used in aerospace
Reliability-focused design: bootloader failsafe/secure update, telemetry/health monitoring
Awareness of space environment considerations (radiation effects, derating), EMI/EMC mitigation in firmware, and environmental testing (TVAC, vibe)
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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