Director - TeraWave Ground Infrastucture

Job description

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 connectivity with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations. We are seeking a visionary and execution-driven Director of TeraWave Ground Infrastructure to lead the end-to-end design, deployment, and operational scaling of our high-capacity terrestrial and ground networking architecture. In this executive-level role, you will own the physical and logical fabric connecting our next-generation satellite constellation to the global internet, operating entirely at the intersection of carrier-grade networking, high-speed packet processing, and global data center/PoP deployments. Rather than traditional RF or satellite communications engineering, this role demands deep expertise in large-scale IP routing, backbone transport, rack-level hardware architecture, and custom/off-the-shelf packet processing systems. You will architect the routers, switches, top-of-rack (ToR) gear, transit partnerships, and peering strategies that power our gateways, Point of Presence (PoP) locations, and Satellite Operations (SatOps) infrastructure. Key Responsibilities Core Network Architecture & IP Routing Lead the technical strategy for designing and scaling the TeraWave global IP/MPLS backbone, bridging gateway locations, core PoPs, and SatOps facilities. Own advanced router and switch configurations, interior/exterior routing protocols ( BGP, OSPF, IS-IS ), and traffic engineering policies to optimize latency and throughput. Architect robust, highly available networking connectivity, diverse routing loops, and automated failover/redundancy strategies to guarantee continuous 99.999% uptime for mission-critical PoPs and SatOps. Hardware Architecture, Racks & Packet Processing Drive the end-to-end design and physical deployment of hardware rack elevations, including power distribution (AC/DC), thermal management, cabling standards, and top-of-rack (ToR) switch integration. Specify, evaluate, and deploy high-performance commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) routers/switches alongside custom or specialized high-throughput packet processing hardware. Partner with silicon and hardware acceleration teams to integrate high-speed packet inspection, encapsulation, and traffic shaping platforms directly into the ground infrastructure. IP Transit Partnerships, Peering & IXP Expansion Spearhead the global transit strategy by negotiating tier-1 IP transit partnerships, dark fiber leases, and high-capacity transport circuits. Scale our global footprint by deploying Points of Presence (PoPs) within major Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and carrier-neutral data centers worldwide, establishing direct peering policies to minimize user latency and optimize cost-per-bit. Gateway Site & Data Center Deployment Own the physical site selection, real estate acquisition, and civil/facility engineering lifecycle for gateway earth station data centers and SatOps facilities. Direct multi-disciplinary teams through the physical build-out of technical spaces, managing vendor relationships, colocation agreements, and enterprise-scale hardware procurement cycles globally. Drive country-specific regulatory compliance, telecommunications licensing, and cross-border legal approvals required for international site deployments. Leadership & Operational Excellence Build, mentor, and scale high-performing global engineering and field deployment teams spanning network architecture, systems engineering, and data center operations. Establish automated telemetry, monitoring frameworks, and NetOps tooling to proactively manage circuit health, packet loss, and hardware performance across all global sites. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical discipline (Master’s or MBA preferred). 12+ years of progressive experience designing, building, and operating large-scale service provider, hyperscale cloud, or telecommunications network infrastructure (comparable to environments at SpaceX/Starlink, Amazon LEO/Kuiper, or major tier-1 ISPs/cloud providers). Deep networking and routing background (equivalent to advanced Cisco CCNP/CCIE or Network Design Engineer (NDE) expertise), with extensive hands-on command-line experience configuring enterprise routers, switches, and routing policies. Proven expertise in architecting physical rack layouts, top-of-rack (ToR) switching, and integrating high-performance off-the-shelf (COTS) or custom packet processing hardware. Extensive hands-on experience managing backbone networks, IP transit agreements, BGP routing, and direct peering at major IXPs. Proven track record of navigating international site acquisition, data center colocation, facility power/cooling design, and cross-border telecom compliance. Experience managing massive capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets and cross-functional global engineering teams. Preferred Qualifications Cisco CCIE certification or equivalent industry-recognized advanced routing/switching credential. Direct experience integrating high-speed programmable packet processors (e.g., FPGA-based platforms, specialized NPUs, or high-density ASIC white-box switches). Demonstrated crisis-management capabilities during critical network outages, backed by robust automated telemetry and disaster recovery framework design. Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $371,226.00 - $519,716.40 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.