Principal Software Engineer - Dataplane & Edge Infrastructure

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. As a Principal Software Engineer for Dataplane & Edge Infrastructure, you will serve as the primary architect and builder of the TeraWave Point of Presence (PoP) infrastructure. You will lead the design and implementation of next-generation PoP systems, writing the low-level software that handles terabits of traffic with surgical precision. This role requires deep expertise in high-performance networking, systems-level programming, and edge infrastructure to define TeraWave's competitive advantage in satellite communications. You will be responsible for building and optimizing the high-performance data path that processes packets at wire speed, while mentoring engineers and setting technical standards for code quality and system design across the team. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Architect a scalable, resilient, and ultra-high-performance Point of Presence from the ground up, establishing foundational technical standards and design principles for TeraWave's PoP infrastructure Build and optimize the dataplane using DPDK and VPP to ensure wire-speed packet processing and maximum network throughput Implement and fine-tune IP networking stacks, including BGP, OSPF, and custom routing logic to support TeraWave's edge networking requirements Drive performance engineering efforts to identify and eliminate bottlenecks at the software-hardware interface, optimizing for throughput, latency, and CPU cache efficiency Provide technical leadership by mentoring senior engineers and establishing standards for code quality, system design, and infrastructure-as-code principles Define and implement edge infrastructure patterns capable of supporting terabits of traffic with high reliability and precision Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate PoP infrastructure with the broader TeraWave satellite communications ecosystem Drive continuous improvement in dataplane engineering methodologies, tooling, and deployment processes Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies in high-performance networking to sustain TeraWave's technical edge Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field 10+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on high-performance networking or systems-level programming Deep, hands-on experience with DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) and VPP (Vector Packet Processing), with demonstrated ability to extract maximum performance from network interface hardware Expert-level proficiency in C or C++ Comprehensive understanding of networking protocols including IPv4/v6, BGP, MPLS, VXLAN, and Segment Routing Strong knowledge of Linux kernel networking, eBPF/XDP, and system parameter tuning for high-performance workloads Demonstrated experience designing or maintaining large-scale distributed systems or ISP-grade edge infrastructure Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams in complex, technically demanding environments Excellent communication skills with ability to translate low-level networking concepts to varied technical audiences Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field Experience with Rust in a networking or systems programming context Experience with SmartNICs or FPGA-based network offloading Contributions to open-source networking projects such as , DPDK, or equivalent Experience with containerized networking solutions including Kubernetes CNI and Multus Background in satellite communications, space-based network infrastructure, or related technologies Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code methodologies and tooling at scale Experience transitioning high-performance networking systems from prototype to production environments History of successfully delivering complex, low-level systems under stringent performance and reliability constraints Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $290,709.00 - $406,991.55 WA applicants is $290,709.00 - $406,991.55 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. 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