Senior Back-End Engineer - TeraWave

Application close date:

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! 

As a Senior Back-End Engineer, you will play a vital leadership role within a team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, significantly contributing to the network orchestration of the constellation. Your role will involve utilizing your expertise in application development for high performance scalable systems to develop and maintain complex software solutions. You will guide software development and optimization efforts, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal quality and performance of our systems.

Your ability to innovate, provide architectural direction, and deliver efficient solutions is crucial to managing the entire development process. Successful senior engineers not only meet complex requirements but also propose and implement innovative, cutting-edge solutions.

Special Mentions:

• This role is expected to will be onsite in either the Bay Area, CA or Los Angeles, CA areas. It is approved for temporary remote work exception while our local site is developed.
• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance server-side applications and systems for Blue Origin's TeraWave satellite communications network
• Architect efficient, scalable backend solutions that can process high volumes of data with minimal latency
• Implement and optimize server-side logic to ensure high performance, responsiveness, and security
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate backend capabilities into broader systems and applications
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for server architecture and applications
• Analyze system performance and troubleshoot complex issues across distributed systems
• Implement security best practices and protocols to protect network infrastructure
• Evaluate and recommend new backend technologies and solutions to enhance capabilities and performance
• Lead code reviews and mentor junior engineers on backend development best practices
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes and methodologies

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in backend/server-side engineering
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, C#, Go, Rust)
• Experience designing and implementing high-performance, scalable server architectures
• Demonstrated experience with distributed systems and microservices architecture
• Strong knowledge of database systems (SQL and NoSQL) and data modeling
• Experience with RESTful APIs and API design principles
• Knowledge of cyber security principles for zero-trust architecture relating to software architecture, operating systems, and system design
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and Test-Driven Development
• Experience with Agile or Scaled Agile development methodologies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining technical documentation
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in backend/server engineering with focus on high-performance systems
• Experience with real-time data processing and low-latency systems
• Experience with ASP.NET Core, Actix, Redis, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch
• Knowledge of network protocols and communication systems
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Experience with message queuing systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ)
• Experience with performance optimization and profiling tools
• Knowledge of space-based or satellite communication systems
• Experience with modern encryption standards for authentication and data protection
• Experience leading software development teams and mentoring junior engineers
• Experience developing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Contributions to open-source projects or publications in relevant technical areas

Compensation 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 (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.

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