Senior Technical Program Manager – Communications Integrated Systems – 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!  

Job Description

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead the end-to-end development and production of advanced communications systems. This role will coordinate complex, multidisciplinary programs spanning Systems Engineering, RF, digital hardware, ASIC, FPGA, embedded software, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and quality.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with exceptional program leadership. This person will drive alignment across Communications Systems and Silicon Systems, manage dependencies and risks, and lead programs from system architecture and design through prototype development, integration, validation, manufacturing release, and production ramp.

Special Mentions

 - Relocation provided

 - Travel expected up to 20% of the time

 - Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead end-to-end execution of complex communications systems development programs from concept through production.
• Coordinate activities across Systems Engineering, RF, Digital Hardware, ASIC, FPGA, Embedded Software, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Test Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality.
• Develop and maintain integrated program schedules, milestones, dependencies, and critical paths.
• Drive technical planning, program execution, and cross-functional communication throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead engineering program reviews, technical reviews, and executive status meetings.
• Identify technical, schedule, manufacturing, supplier, and integration risks, and drive mitigation plans.
• Coordinate prototype builds, hardware bring-up, system integration, validation, and verification activities.
• Manage external vendors and engineering partners to ensure technical alignment, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Drive action-item closure and accountability across multiple engineering organizations.
• Record program and technical meetings, document decisions, and maintain a methodical system for tracking open items through closure.
• Support design reviews, engineering change management, including ECOs, and manufacturing readiness reviews.
• Partner with engineering leadership to balance technical tradeoffs, schedule, cost, quality, and product performance.
• Develop executive dashboards, KPIs, and program metrics to communicate progress, risks, dependencies, and key decisions.
• Drive programs through New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing release, and production ramp.
• Identify cross-functional gaps and interface risks early, particularly across communications system and silicon development activities.
• Ensure alignment of system requirements, interfaces, technical decisions, and deliverables across the product lifecycle.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience leading complex technical programs involving multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Proven experience managing communications systems, networking, wireless, aerospace, satellite, or other complex hardware and software products.
• Experience leading programs across the complete product lifecycle, including system architecture, design, prototype development, integration, validation and verification, manufacturing, production.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional engineering organizations without direct authority.
• Strong understanding of hardware and embedded systems development processes.
• Experience managing technical schedules, dependencies, risks, issues, and executive communications.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, suppliers, and external development partners.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical issues and drive timely, data-informed decisions.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a   refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite communications, wireless communications, networking, telecommunications, or aerospace systems.
• Knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, digital hardware, PCB development, FPGA, ASIC, silicon, and embedded software development.
• Experience with system integration, hardware validation, RF testing, EMC testing, environmental testing, and product qualification.
• Experience supporting manufacturing readiness, NPI, production release, and production ramp.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Project.
• PMP certification or equivalent program management certification.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.

Base Pay 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, 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.