Principal Firmware Engineer – Digital ASIC at Blue Origin in Cupertino, CA

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. Job Description As part of a hardworking team of specialists and engineers, you will serve as a hands-on technical leader responsible for the architecture, development, integration, and delivery of complex embedded firmware for custom digital ASICs in the TeraWave system. You will own firmware development throughout the silicon lifecycle, from architecture and pre-silicon verification through post-silicon bring-up, system validation, production testing, and manufacturing. This role requires deep technical expertise in low-level embedded firmware, custom digital silicon, and hardware/software integration, along with the ability to independently drive complex technical execution and deliver production-quality firmware. You will work closely with ASIC design, verification, hardware, communications systems, test, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure successful firmware integration and delivery against program milestones. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Own and lead the architecture, design, implementation, integration, and validation of complex embedded firmware for custom digital ASICs, including Digital Beamforming (DBF) ASICs. Develop ROM code and runtime firmware for DBF ASICs, including beam pointing, analog calibration, FEIC management, SerDes link management, secure boot, telemetry, and sideband control. Define and own hardware/software interfaces, including register interfaces, control protocols, initialization sequences, interrupt handling, and hardware/software partitioning. Develop comprehensive firmware verification and validation strategies, including detailed test plans, functional testing, integration testing, regression testing, and performance characterization. Drive pre-silicon firmware development, integration, debugging, and verification using simulation, emulation, and FPGA prototyping platforms. Lead post-silicon firmware bring-up, debugging, characterization, and validation of custom ASICs, resolving complex hardware/software integration issues. Own end-to-end firmware delivery to silicon validation, system test, and manufacturing teams , including production test firmware, diagnostic capabilities, firmware release packages, and supporting documentation. Work closely with test and manufacturing engineering teams to define firmware requirements, develop production test and diagnostic capabilities, and support manufacturing readiness. Develop and maintain automated firmware testing frameworks, continuous integration workflows, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation environments. Establish firmware development methodologies, coding standards, release management practices, and quality requirements to ensure robust, reliable, and maintainable firmware. Identify and mitigate technical risks related to firmware architecture, silicon functionality, real-time performance, and hardware/software integration. Collaborate with ASIC design, verification, RF, communications systems, platform software, and manufacturing teams to ensure firmware meets functional, performance, and system-level requirements. Provide technical leadership through architecture reviews, design reviews, hands-on problem solving, and mentorin