Sr Foundry Engineer

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

We are seeking a Senior Foundry Engineer to serve as the primary technical interface with world-class semiconductor foundry partners (e.g., TSMC, GlobalFoundries, STMicroelectronics) and to own all aspects of process enablement, PDK readiness, tapeout execution, and process quality monitoring. This role is critical to ensuring our RFIC/ASIC design teams have reliable, qualified process technologies and toolsets to develop cutting-edge integrated circuits that drive Blue Origin's mission of enabling millions to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.

Special Mentions

 - Relocation provided

 - Travel expected up to 10% of the time

 - Interviews will include a technical assessment

- This role is based onsite in San Diego, CA; the Bay Area, CA; or Renton, WA. A temporary remote work exception is approved while our Bay Area and San Diego sites are being developed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Serve as the primary technical liaison with external foundry partners, managing day-to-day communications, issue resolution, technology access agreements, and roadmap alignment.
• Own PDK (Process Design Kit) availability, including version control, validation, and deployment across internal design teams; coordinate PDK updates, patches, and custom rule deck modifications with foundry and EDA team.
• Manage end-to-end tapeout submissions, including GDS preparation, DRC/LVS/DFM signoff coordination, reticle scheduling, wafer lot tracking, and delivery logistics to ensure on-time and error-free tapeouts.
• Support process and device model qualification, including SPICE model correlation, corner/Monte Carlo validation, and tracking of model-to-silicon accuracy across technology nodes.
• Collaborate with production engineering to establish and maintain process Cpk parameter tracking systems, monitoring critical parametric data (Vt, Idsat, resistor/capacitor tolerances, etc.) to identify trends, excursions, and yield-impacting variations; drive corrective actions with foundry partners as needed.
• Evaluate and recommend new process technologies and nodes based on design team requirements, performance targets, cost, and long-term roadmap fit for space-grade applications.
• Develop and maintain internal documentation, dashboards, and reporting for tapeout schedules, foundry lot status, wafer acceptance test (WAT) results, and process health metrics.
• Support production engineering wafer acceptance testing (WAT) and reliability qualification activities, including HTOL, ESD, and latch-up evaluations in coordination with foundry and internal quality teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in foundry engineering, process integration, or semiconductor technology enablement roles, with direct experience interfacing with major foundries.
• Deep working knowledge of PDK architecture and qualification across advanced CMOS, SiGe BiCMOS, and/or RF SOI process technologies.
• Extensive hands-on experience managing tapeout flows end-to-end, including physical verification signoff (DRC, LVS, antenna, DFM), GDS streaming, and foundry submission protocols.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device physics, process parameters, SPICE modeling (BSIM, HiCUM, PSP), and statistical process control (SPC/Cpk) methodologies.
• Proficiency with EDA toolsets and associated verification and extraction tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to analyze WAT/e-test data, process control monitor (PCM) results, and lot-to-lot variability to assess process health and drive yield improvements.
• Knowledge of advanced packaging technologies (flip-chip, fan-out wafer-level packaging, 2.5D/3D integration) and their foundry enablement requirements.
• Experience with RF/mmWave process technologies (e.g., SiGe BiCMOS, RF SOI, GaN, InP) and associated device characterization.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, Perl, TCL, SKILL) for PDK validation, data analysis, and tapeout flow automation.
• Experience with space-grade, automotive-grade, or high-reliability qualification flows (e.g., QML, AEC-Q100, JEDEC standards).

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