Your space-enabled career begins here

Space-based technologies are the building blocks of these pillars of innovation:

Search for credible job opportunities with top entrepreneurial space companies.

Principal FPGA Lead - Electro-Mechanical Actuator

BLUE ORIGIN

BLUE ORIGIN

Phoenix, AZ, USA · Longmont, CO, USA · Seattle, WA, USA · Denver, CO, USA · Remote
USD 168,414-235,778.55 / year
Posted on Nov 8, 2025

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!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

Technical Scope - As a Principal-Level FPGA Developer, you will lead the design, implementation, verification, and testing of our FPGA based solutions for satellite electro-mechanical actuation systems and other avionics. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise with dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards reliable and continuously operating electro-mechanical system control in deep space environments. The detailed design will host multiple processors, internal data buses and a mix of custom and reused IP blocks requiring systematic implementation, unit-and chip-level testing, design hardening for radiation and documentation to support third-party customer quality requirements.

Required Experience & Leadership - The lead shall have experience developing FPGA IP to meet performance, radiation robustness, and reliability for continuously operating electro-mechanical system control in deep space environments. The lead will mentor junior staff, generate working requirements from stakeholder reviews, and deliver quality solutions. Must be a self-starting engineering lead with strong ownership of the end-to-end FPGA solution. An engineer skilled with DO-254 design assurance, human-space rated design, and ASIC development would be preferred.

Special Mentions:

  • Relocation provided
  • Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Generate FPGA requirements in coordination with systems engineering, hardware engineering, and software engineering
  • Design, write HDL code, verify and document complex low-level modules
  • Synthesize reliable radiation robust solutions that work for continuous operations in deep space environments
  • Lead unit and chip-level testing for FPGA
  • Drive innovation and leading-edge AI/ML based initiatives for the future of FPGA development in In-Space Systems
  • Mentor junior engineers

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years of FPGA/ASIC design and verification work experience for radiation robust solutions operating in deep-space environment
  • Proficient in writing FPGA level requirements
  • Experience in writing RTL using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL
  • Experience with Clock Domain Crossing, Error Correcting Codes, and safe state machines techniques and analysis
  • Experience with FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, and Microchip Libero.
  • Experience with FPGA Timing Constraint definition, STA, and timing closure.
  • Proficient in testbench design and usage.
  • Experience with QuestaSim or equivalent simulator
  • Experience using FPGA Design and Verification tools in a Linux environment
  • Working knowledge of DO-254, or other safety-critical standards
  • Ability to influence others and communicate effectively

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience with sophisticated verification techniques such as Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) and Constrained Random Verification.
  • Experience with scripting languages, such as Python
  • Experience with revision control systems, such as Git/SVN
  • Experience with common on-chip bus protocols such as AMBA (AXI, AHB, APB)
  • Experience leveraging AI/LLMs as a co-pilot


Compensation Range for:

CO applicants is $168,414.00-$235,778.55;WA applicants is $177,857.00-$248,999.10

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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.