Director - TeraWave Gateway Terminals

About this role

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.

Directs and oversees the strategic operations of engineering teams, including duties associated with planning engineering programs, reviewing design and method recommendations, purchasing equipment, and ensuring that engineering activities align with organizational objectives. Administers operations in accordance with company's policies, priorities, and budget constraints set forth by senior management. Implements effective engineering methods and provides technical guidance and acts as a resource for engineers. Ensures components, materials, and tools are used to capacity. Applies broad multi-disciplinary engineering (RF, mechanical and electrical/electronic) knowledge, skills, and methods as well as computer/software systems to design and engineer the overall systems infrastructure including engineering, implementation and integration, and technical services and support. Designs, implements, installs, maintains, and administers infrastructures including hardware, software, and various configurations. Monitors overall performance to proactively identify potential issues and tune them appropriately. Performs root cause analysis on failed components and implements corrective measures. Works with others to establish and improve processes and procedures.

Job Description We are seeking a Director to lead the development of a next-generation satellite communications ground RF gateways, from concept through manufacturing transfer. This leader will own a multidisciplinary team responsible for hardware architecture, embedded software, systems integration, validation, and production readiness at a contract manufacturer.

Responsibilities • Lead hardware, embedded software, and systems engineering teams developing compact, rugged, high-performance communications terminals. • Define product architecture across RF, digital, power, thermal, mechanical, firmware, and manufacturing domains. • Drive execution from prototype to high-volume production, including design for manufacturability, testability, reliability, and cost. • Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to select components, qualify suppliers, and transfer designs to a contract manufacturer. • Establish program plans, technical milestones, risk management, and cross-functional coordination with operations, quality, and product management. • Own system-level integration, bring-up, debugging, and validation strategy for hardware and firmware. • Ensure embedded software supports secure boot, device provisioning, field updates, telemetry, diagnostics, and factory test. • Build and mentor a high-performing team of engineers and technical leads. • Manage external partners, including contract manufacturers, test labs, and specialist consultants. • Create and maintain engineering processes for requirements management, change control, verification, and release readiness.

Qualifications • 10+ years of experience in hardware and embedded systems development, with at least 6 years leading technical teams. • Proven success bringing complex connected hardware products from prototype to mass production. • Strong background in embedded systems, board design, system integration, and production test. • Experience working with contract manufacturers and driving design transfer to manufacturing. • Familiarity with RF-enabled products, high-speed digital design, power electronics, thermal design, and ruggedized consumer or industrial hardware. • Experience with Linux-based embedded platforms, real-time constraints, boot flows, device provisioning, and firmware update mechanisms. • Strong understanding of reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and failure analysis. • Ability to lead across hardware, firmware, operations, and quality functions in a fast-paced environment. • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a track record of delivering on aggressive timelines.

Preferred qualifications • Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical or software engineering, or related field. • Experience with satellite communications, antenna systems, phased arrays, or wireless networking hardware. • Background in secure hardware, cryptography, anti-tamper, or device identity systems. • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements for consumer electronics and radio products. • Experience scaling production from low-volume engineering builds to millions of units.

Hands-on experience with contract manufacturing test development and factory yield improvement.

  Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $272,861.00 - $382,004.70
WA applicants is $272,861.00 - $382,004.70 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

Similar jobs

• Electrical Engineer, User Terminals - TeraWave — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA
• Senior Embedded Software Engineer - TeraWave Customer Terminals — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA
• Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave Customer Terminals — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA
• Senior Mechanical Engineer - TeraWave Customer Terminals — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA
• Director - TeraWave RF Payloads — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area | Bay Area, CA
• Senior Software Engineer - TeraWave — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area
• Senior Electronics System Engineer - TeraWave — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area
• Senior Manager - TeraWave Optical Engineering — Blue Origin · Greater Seattle Area