Propulsion Mechanical Engineer

Description

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies, Amazon Leo serves people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

As a mechanical engineer within the propulsion team you will design, build, test, and support propulsion hardware from concept through high-volume production and on-orbit operation. You will combine analytical rigor with hands-on build-and-test ownership to produce hardware that is lightweight, cost-effective, and performs consistently at scale. This is a hands-on role which requires collaboration across functional boundaries to design, analyze, and integrate the structural, thermal-mechanical, and packaging hardware that supports the propulsion system.

Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates 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.

Key job responsibilities
- Design, build, and test propulsion mechanical hardware through prototyping, qualification, and into high-volume production
- Solve mechanical, thermal, structural, and fluid system problems on space-grade hardware using first-principles analysis to drive design decisions
- Develop and iterate on designs and analysis to support system-level trade studies
- Produce design documentation — drawings, tolerance analyses, structural and thermal analyses, and test plans — at a level of detail that drives qualification and production without ambiguity
- Design for structural and mechanical load environments — static strength, random vibration, shock, and thermal-mechanical extremes — ensuring hardware meets requirements without over-mass or over-constraint
- Support mechanical interface definition — load paths, bracket design, harness routing, fluid line support — in partnership with systems, avionics, thermal, and satellite structure teams
- Apply DFMA practices to minimize part counts, reduce fastener counts, and optimize assembly sequences for a high-rate production environment
- Plan and execute mechanical tests, performance characterization, and environmental testing to validate analytical models and demonstrate compliance
- Perform root cause investigations for hardware failures and non-conformances; drive corrective action through closure
- Work cross-functionally with experts in plasma physics, avionics, thermal, structures, and materials across the full product lifecycle

Basic Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent field
- 3+ years of technical engineering experience
- Experience in the design of complex mechanical products and equipment at volume

Preferred Qualifications

- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or related discipline
- Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing aerospace hardware
- Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis on multi-component assemblies
- Experience with structural or thermal finite element analysis (Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, or equivalent)
- Experience with manufacturing processes (CNC, welding, castings, additive) and fundamentals of DFMA
- Experience with pressurized fluid component design or testing (valves, regulators, tubing)
- Familiarity with electric propulsion systems such as Hall effect thrusters or ion engines
- Proficiency with scripting (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent) for analysis and data visualization

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.