{"id":138373,"url":"https://alion.io/job/blueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure","title":"Principal Software Engineer - Dataplane & Edge Infrastructure","company":{"id":3698,"name":"Blue Origin","domain":"blueorigin.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/blueorigin","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":78,"open_postings":306,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.892,"repost_share":0.003,"time_to_fill_p50_days":29,"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Seattle, United States","United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":290709,"max":406991,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":406991},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"BGP","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"eBPF","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"MPLS","optional":false},{"name":"OSPF","optional":false},{"name":"Kubernetes","optional":true},{"name":"Rust","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-27T22:26:36Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-27","last_verified_at":"2026-10-16T01:54:17Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":49,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":49},"description":"Application close date:\nApplications 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!\nBlue 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.\nResponsibilities include but are not limited to:\nArchitect 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\nBuild and optimize the dataplane using DPDK and VPP to ensure wire-speed packet processing and maximum network throughput\nImplement and fine-tune IP networking stacks, including BGP, OSPF, and custom routing logic to support TeraWave's edge networking requirements\nDrive performance engineering efforts to identify and eliminate bottlenecks at the software-hardware interface, optimizing for throughput, latency, and CPU cache efficiency\nProvide technical leadership by mentoring senior engineers and establishing standards for code quality, system design, and infrastructure-as-code principles\nDefine and implement edge infrastructure patterns capable of supporting terabits of traffic with high reliability and precision\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate PoP infrastructure with the broader TeraWave satellite communications ecosystem\nDrive continuous improvement in dataplane engineering methodologies, tooling, and deployment processes\nEvaluate and adopt emerging technologies in high-performance networking to sustain TeraWave's technical edge\nMinimum Qualifications:\nBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field\n10+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on high-performance networking or systems-level programming\nDeep, 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\nExpert-level proficiency in C or C++\nComprehensive understanding of networking protocols including IPv4/v6, BGP, MPLS, VXLAN, and Segment Routing\nStrong knowledge of Linux kernel networking, eBPF/XDP, and system parameter tuning for high-performance workloads\nDemonstrated experience designing or maintaining large-scale distributed systems or ISP-grade edge infrastructure\nProven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams in complex, technically demanding environments\nExcellent communication skills with ability to translate low-level networking concepts to varied technical audiences\nPreferred Qualifications:\nMaster's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field\nExperience with Rust in a networking or systems programming context\nExperience with SmartNICs or FPGA-based network offloading\nContributions to open-source networking projects such as FD.io, DPDK, or equivalent\nExperience with containerized networking solutions including Kubernetes CNI and Multus\nBackground in satellite communications, space-based network infrastructure, or related technologies\nFamiliarity with infrastructure-as-code methodologies and tooling at scale\nExperience transitioning high-performance networking systems from prototype to production environments\nHistory of successfully delivering complex, low-level systems under stringent performance and reliability constraints\nBase Pay Range for:\nCA applicants is $290,709.00 - $406,991.55\nWA applicants is $290,709.00 - $406,991.55Other site ranges may differ\nCulture Statement\nDon’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.\nExport Control Regulations\nApplicants 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.\nBackground Check\nRequired for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check\nRequired 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\nRequired 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.\nRequired 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\nBenefits\nBenefits 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.\nStock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)\nPaid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.\nDependent 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. \nEqual Employment Opportunity\nBlue 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.\nAffirmative Action and Disability Accommodation\nApplicants 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 . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9174,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Parental leave","Stock options"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Manufacturing","Aerospace Manufacturing","Satellite Manufacturing","Ground Systems"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-08-27T22:26:36Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Filed H-1B visas in the last two years","filings_12m":0,"filings_prev_12m":1,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":16,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.455,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":48,"expected_fill_days":29,"reasons":["conf:14","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":406991,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/blueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/blueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-16T05:31:31Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2923,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-17T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3698},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3698"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fblueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fblueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fblueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/blueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fblueorigin-principal-software-engineer-dataplane-edge-infrastructure"}]}