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Aerospace, Space Exploration, Manufacturing, Defense

Ground Software Engineer III - Blue Ring

California, United StatesOnsiteFull Time$164,652–$230,513 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Role summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced Ground Software Engineer III for its Blue Ring program to lead the development of a mission-critical orchestration platform for its global ground station network. This role involves architecting and implementing scalable, secure, and reliable solutions to ensure continuous spacecraft communication and optimize operational efficiency. Responsibilities include designing distributed systems, implementing mission planning tools, conducting performance analytics, creating APIs for command and control, developing web dashboards, and establishing monitoring systems. The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a technical field, 5+ years of software development experience, and proficiency in Python, C++, or Rust, and Linux environments.

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!
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.
Our Blue Ring program is looking for experienced personnel to join their ground system team as a ground software engineer. We are a passionate group developing mobility missions that will impact the history of space exploration! We are a team with wide-ranging skillsets that value problem-solving. You will work in a fast-paced dynamic environment, contributing innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and reliable spaceflight.
We are seeking a Ground Software Engineer to lead the development of our mission-critical orchestration platform managing our global ground station network. In this role, you will architect and implement solutions that form the vital communications link between Earth and space operations.
Working closely with cross-functional engineering teams and external customers, you will deliver scalable, secure, and highly reliable solutions that ensure continuous ground station availability for mission-critical spacecraft communications while providing sophisticated planning capabilities that maximize operational efficiency across the entire ground network.
Join us in enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!
Responsibilities

  • Design and develop distributed software systems for ground station network orchestration and core infrastructure services.
  • Test and integrate software systems that run on both commercial and in-house developed hardware.
  • Implement mission planning and scheduling tools for contact-window planning, resource allocation, and operational timeline management.
  • Conduct comprehensive post-mission analytics to evaluate ground network performance metrics, identify optimization opportunities, and generate technical recommendations for system improvements.
  • Collaborate with external customers to architect secure, high-performance interfaces for Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) systems and payload data transfer workflow.
  • Create APIs and secure interfaces for ground station command and control.
  • Develop interactive web dashboards with real-time visualization capabilities.
  • Design and implement integration frameworks for third-party ground stations and external customer systems.
  • Create automated workflow engines for routine operations, anomaly response, and autonomous sequences.
  • Establish comprehensive monitoring systems with configurable alerts to ensure operational stability and visibility across the network.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, networking, and RF/DSP engineers to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of professional software development experience
  • 5+ years of experience with Python, C++ or Rust
  • 5+ years of experience working in Linux environments
  • Experience developing, testing, and maintaining production-quality software.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams
  • Demonstrated track record of resourcefulness from their previous assignments.
  • Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships.
  • Strong written and communication skills to support end-to-end customer testing for both internal programs and external clients.

Desired

  • Proficiency in JavaScript and experience building backend or full-stack applications
  • 5+ years of experience working on ground station or communication system operations
  • Experience with AWS cloud infrastructure
  • Experience designing and consuming APIs including RESTful services
  • Working knowledge of network protocols including TCP and UDP
  • Ability to work independently and communicate effectively
  • Familiarity with Ansible (for deployment and configuration management)
  • Understanding of RF and modulation/demodulation concepts
  • Understanding of networking concepts such as routing, latency, bandwidth, and reliability
  • Familiarity with monitoring, logging, and observability tools in production environments
  • AI experience for State of Health diagnosis in NOC and network orchestration environments
  • Proven experience implementing and integrating OSS and BSS systems within telecommunications or similar industries.
  • Hands-on experience working with CRM platforms, preferably Salesforce, including configuration, integration, and process automation.
  • Strong understanding of customer lifecycle management, front end interfacing, and sales enablement features within CRM tools.
  • Demonstrated experience integrating systems and workflows across the full mission chain, including mission planning and operations, Monitoring & Control (M&C) systems, ground station scheduling and resource allocation, with a comprehensive understanding of end-to-end data flows between these systems.

Compensation Range For
CA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80 WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80
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 (CDL drivers only), 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.
  • 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.
California Applicant Privacy Notice
If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.

Sample Blue Origin interview questions

  • 1

    Design an Inventory Management System

    system designmedium
  • 2

    Alien Dictionary Order Derive the alien dictionary order from a sorted list of alien words. Input: words = ["z","x","z"] Output: "" (Empty String) Explanation: The letter 'z' cannot come before 'x' and then suddenly after 'x', creating a cycle and making the dictionary invalid.

    codingmedium
  • 3

    Diameter of a Binary Tree Find the diameter of a binary tree. Input: root = [1,2] Output: 1 Explanation: The longest path is simply the single edge connecting the root node to its only child.

    codingmedium
  • 4

    Encode and Decode Strings Encode a list of strings into a single string and decode it back. Input: strs = ["","hello",""] Output: ["","hello",""] Explanation: Prepends chunk lengths and a delimiter (e.g., "0#5#hello0#") to safely encode and perfectly restore empty strings.

    codingmedium
  • 5

    Iterator over a Binary Search Tree Implement an iterator over a binary search tree. Input: root = [7,3,15,null,null,9,20], calls: next(), hasNext(), next() Output: 3, TRUE, 7 Explanation: The iterator yields the smallest value (3), confirms more nodes exist, then properly yields the next in-order value (7).

    codingmedium

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