Senior Silicon Physical Design Engineer - TeraWave

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.

We are seeking a Senior Silicon Physical Design Engineer to design and develop advanced integrated circuits for our revolutionary space-based communications network. The ideal candidate brings expertise in physical design methodologies, and semiconductor technologies, as well as proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where innovation meets mission-critical execution.

Special Mentions:

- Relocation provided

- Travel expected up to 10% of the time

- Interviews will include a technical assessment

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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Execute RTL-to-GDS physical implementation of SoCs for space applications: synthesis, floor-planning, power and clock distribution, place and route, and timing closure

• Drive full signoff closure: STA, physical verification (DRC/LVS/ERC), logic equivalence checking (LEC), and EM/IR analysis

• Debug timing violations and implement timing and functional ECOs

• Perform partition- and chip-level physical verification for mixed-signal designs, including analog/digital integration checks

• Develop and maintain PV runsets, signoff decks, and flow automation for repeatable top-level verification

• Contribute to physical design methodology, flow automation, and chip assembly

• Implement DFT structures and methodologies

• Collaborate with front-end and analog/mixed-signal teams to preserve design intent through implementation and signoff

• Interface with foundries on design-rule compliance, manufacturability, and yield

• Document design and verification methodologies and results

• Support post-silicon validation and debugging activities

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

• 7+ years of experience in physical design of ASICs

• Experience with industry-standard EDA tools for physical design (Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens or Mentor)

• Hands-on experience across the RTL-to-GDS flow, including timing closure and power/noise analysis

• Proficiency in Python, Tcl, and Makefiles

• Signoff and closure experience: Static Timing Analysis(STA), Physical Verification (PV), Logic Equivalence Checking (LEC), and Electromigration & IR drop (EM/IR)

• Understanding of timing closure and signal integrity challenges

• Experience with power analysis and optimization techniques

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

• Experience developing ASICs that meet stringent space-qualification standards for performance, reliability, and efficiency.

• Knowledge of radiation-hardened design methodologies

• Experience with advanced process nodes (16nm and below)

• Background in high-speed digital design (>1GHz)

• Experience with 3D packaging or chiplet technologies

• Understanding of thermal considerations in ASIC design

• Familiarity with space qualification requirements for electronic components

• Experience with low-power design techniques for battery or solar-powered systems

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85
WA applicants is $230,398.00 - $322,556.85

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.

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