Principal Architect, System Integration & Test

Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area · $230,773–$323,082 (stated in the posting)

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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 building TeraWave, a multi-thousand-satellite communications constellation delivering symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps worldwide. The system is tightly integrated end-to-end -- satellites communicating across RF and optical links with ground terminals and space-based nodes, tied together by a software stack spanning flight, mission operations, network operations, and payload systems. Validating that this full system works correctly at every stage from early development through high-rate factory acceptance is one of the most consequential challenges in the program.
As a Principal Engineer for System-Level Integration & Test, you will design and drive the system-level test program that validates TeraWave's complete hardware and software system working together. Your scope spans development and system qualification testing through to supporting provisioning and system verification at production scales. You will focus on ensuring test coverage across all system interfaces -- between hardware and software domains, across organizational boundaries, and across the RF and optical link layers that define TeraWave's end-to-end architecture. Ground terminal integration and test is a first-class element of this scope.
You will work hands-on: building test procedures, designing test facilities, debugging integration issues in the lab, and running tests alongside the team -- not just defining strategy from above. This role sits within the Chief Systems Architecture office and works closely with vehicle, payload, ground, and network teams; including the satellite integration and test team.
Special Considerations

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain the system-level integration and test architecture across the full program lifecycle -- from development and system validation through factory integration -- defining the test strategy, facility designs, and validation approach for each stage
• Design progressive integrated test environments that build from isolated link-level testing through to fully integrated configurations incorporating satellites alongside emulations of network and mission operations systems, with scalability and rapid iteration as foundational requirements
• Ensure system-level test coverage is complete and unambiguous at hardware-software interfaces and across organizational boundaries, working directly with vehicle, ground, payload, and network integration and test owners
• Define and execute end-to-end test scenarios across both RF and optical link domains -- including link performance, fault response, operational mode transitions, and space-to-ground link validation
• Drive requirements and specifications for major test infrastructure -- anechoic chambers, thermal vacuum and thermal cycling systems, RF signal simulators, hardware-in-the-loop rigs, and link emulation capabilities -- ensuring the program has the assets needed to meet development and production milestones
• Partner with the broader TeraWave team to integrate system-level tests into the program's CI/CD pipelines, enabling continuous automated validation as hardware and software evolve
• Define acceptance test requirements and procedures that provide high confidence in system-level performance at production cadence, working with payload, satellite bus, and network teams
• Support FCC-required radiating tests in collaboration with the responsible teams across Blue Origin, contributing system-level test perspective to ensure appropriate coverage and regulatory compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent technical field; master's degree preferred
• 8+ years of experience in system integration and test for spacecraft, satellite, or complex communications systems, with experience across both hardware and software domains
• Direct experience with satellite systems and the test venues and infrastructure used to validate RF or optical communications links, including link budget validation, end-to-end signal chain testing, and hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Experience defining and executing system-level test programs spanning development, validation, qualification, and acceptance testing phases
• Familiarity with CI/CD principles and experience integrating hardware and software validation into automated test pipelines
• Sufficient familiarity with network communications standards and protocols to define end-to-end integration test scenarios in collaboration with network engineering teams
• Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries, aligning hardware and software teams around shared test standards and interface validation requirements
• Strong verbal, written, and graphical communication skills

Desired

• 12+ years of experience in system integration and test for satellite or complex communications programs, including experience on LEO constellation programs
• Experience with optical communications link testing including free-space optical terminal validation and atmospheric or link emulation approaches
• Experience with ground terminal integration and test, including validation of space-to-ground link performance and ground-side hardware and software interfaces
• Familiarity with FCC-required radiating test processes and the regulatory compliance context for satellite communications systems
• Experience sizing and specifying major test infrastructure including anechoic chambers, thermal test systems, RF signal simulators, and hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Familiarity with factory acceptance test design for satellite production at scale, including test automation, data management, and anomaly resolution processes

Base Pay Range for:

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, 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.
• 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.

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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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