Interdisciplinary RF System Test and Hardware Development Engineer - Avionics Verification and Test

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 will serve people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

As an Amazon Leo Interdisciplinary RF Test System Engineer, you will own the full lifecycle of complex RF test systems and hardware development for spacecraft avionics and payload sub-systems. Your responsibilities span hardware and software development activities, RF test, system-level architecture, calibration support, and test system BOM-level CAD design. You will serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for your test set, operating at the intersection of hardware development, RF system verification, Space qualification testing, test automation, and high-rate manufacturing.

You should be comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and relish the idea of solving problems that haven't been solved at scale before. You'll have relentlessly high standards for yourself and everyone you work with, and you'll be constantly looking for ways to improve. We want individuals who want to reach beyond what is possible today. Everyone on the team needs to be entrepreneurial, wear many hats, and work in a highly collaborative environment.

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
• Architect, design, build, and sustain RF test systems for satellite modems, transceivers, BUCs, LNBs, and ground equipment through design validation, qualification, production and on-orbit support
• Support hardware and software development activities including RF subsystem design, integration, and characterization
• Perform RF test system-level path loss calibration, link budget analysis, and end-to-end signal chain verification
• Own test system BOM-level CAD design including rack layout, cable harness routing, mechanical fixture design, and documentation
• Own test planning end-to-end: decompose verification requirements into testable specifications, develop test procedures, and lead test readiness reviews
• Drive cross-functional alignment with electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, firmware, and manufacturing teams on verification strategy
• Design and deliver test hardware, fixtures, and tooling that optimize throughput, yield, and fault coverage
• Develop and maintain calibration procedures, path loss models, and measurement uncertainty budgets for RF test stations
• Build quantitative models (test coverage, reliability, throughput) to inform design trade studies and process decisions
• Automate and optimize test processes to meet production rate and first-pass yield targets
• Perform root cause analysis on test failures, lead corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement of production test systems


A day in the life
Our time is balanced between critical support/improvement of existing factory test processes, hardware development activities, and designing future test systems. This includes hands-on support troubleshooting space flight hardware and test systems, CAD design for test system BOMs, and working to align teams around future needs, employing engineering best practices and tools, including AI.

The tasks and daily focus change rapidly, and you will often take on exciting new responsibilities to ensure project success. Expect to address complex problems by diving deep into the data, identifying the scope of the issue, and creating innovative and functional solutions.


About the team
This Interdisciplinary Engineer will be a member of the Avionics Verification & Test team working within the wider RF Hardware Engineering team. This highly collaborative group of engineers has a diverse range of backgrounds and knowledge and works to build scalable and reliable test automation solutions and hardware development capabilities to ensure reliable operation of satellite vehicles in space.

The team's responsibilities include process development, test hardware and software development, and test execution supporting our 24/7 satellite manufacturing factory.

Basic Qualifications

- Experience coding in scripting languages such as Python, R, Matlab, or STATA
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- 5+ years of experience developing and executing test plans for complex aerospace, automotive, or consumer electronics systems
- 5+ years of experience designing and integrating test systems for hardware/PCBA validation
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple technical disciplines in a production or manufacturing environment
- Experience with RF path loss calibration, measurement uncertainty analysis, and signal chain characterization
- Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
- Experience with RF measurement equipment, including: power meters, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network analyzers, oscilloscopes

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
- Cross-functional product development experience from concept through production
- 10+ years hands-on with RF subsystems, PCBAs, or high-speed signal characterization
- Test plan development per space hardware standards (GEVS / SMC-S-016)
- Proven ability to bridge engineering disciplines with data-driven process improvements
- PCB/CCA design, schematic capture, DFT/DFM principles, hardware validation, and configuration control
- Software development lifecycle experience: coding standards, source control, code reviews, build processes, and operations
- Test automation frameworks (NI, Python, C/C++, LabVIEW) with modern dev practices (AI, source control, CI/CD)
- Track record delivering design reviews and performance data packages to internal and external stakeholders

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

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.