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Payload Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quantum Space

Flight Software Engineer II

Rockville, MD · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Develop flight and payload software for embedded spacecraft systems running VxWorks and Linux ... Engineering, or related field * 3+ years of experience with C++ or another object-oriented ...

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How much do payload software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for payload software engineer in the United States is $104,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Infographic showing various Payload Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,863 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Technical Program Manager, Optical Payload Software - TeraWave

Seattle, WA • On-site

Blue Origin, LLC
Space Research Administration • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Blue Origin, LLCexternal

$145K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Blue Origin rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 92 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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 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.
Technical Program Manager, Optical Payload Software - TeraWave
About the Role
Blue Origin's TeraWave program is developing cutting-edge free-space optical communication terminals to enable high-bandwidth connectivity for enterprise and government customers. We are seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the software development effort for optical payload and ground terminals, from initial concept through delivery. This role requires a unique combination of software program management expertise and sufficient technical depth in optical and photonic systems to drive effective cross-functional execution.
Responsibilities
Program Management
  • Own end-to-end planning, scheduling, and execution for optical payload software development, initially focused on flight software and expanding to manufacturing test software as the program matures
  • Define and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS), identifying the critical path and managing dependencies across software, hardware, and systems teams
  • Track program milestones, deliverables, risks, and issues, driving resolution with urgency
  • Manage budgets, resource allocation, and forecasting across the software development effort
  • Lead program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and executive-level status reporting

Technical Leadership
  • Serve as the technical integrator across software, optical, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
  • Drive architecture trades, design decisions, and requirements decomposition for payload software
  • Identify technical risks early and lead mitigation planning
  • Translate complex engineering challenges into actionable program decisions
  • Partner with systems engineering to ensure terminal performance requirements and manufacturing test software requirements are met

Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Align stakeholders across software engineering, systems engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, test, and operations
  • Coordinate with hardware teams and systems-level teams to ensure software integration compatibility
  • Communicate program status clearly to leadership and customers

Qualifications
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, optical engineering, physics, or a related field
  • 8+ years of experience in software or hardware development programs
  • 3+ years in a TPM, program management, or systems engineering leadership role
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex software development programs through the full lifecycle, from concept through production
  • Working knowledge of optical systems (free-space optics, fiber optics, photonics, or similar) and their manufacturing test requirements
  • Proficiency with scheduling tools such as MS Project or Smartsheet
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred
  • Experience with laser communication terminals, lidar, or electro-optical systems
  • Background in space, aerospace, or defense software and hardware development
  • PMP certification or equivalent
  • Experience with agile or hybrid development methodologies

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20
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.

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About Blue Origin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturing and suborbital spaceflight services company based in Kent, Washington, USA. Established in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the company operates in the cutting-edge aerospace industry aiming to build a future where millions of people can live and work in space. They develop a variety of technologies, with a focus on reusable rocket systems which significantly reduce the cost of space travel. Blue Origin's core mission is to make this vision come to life by incrementally building on its successes with an ultimate vision of dramatic cost reduction and increased reliance on reusable spacecraft.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kent, WA, US

Year founded

2000

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