Propulsion Lab Engineer - GNC & Propulsion

Description

Amazon Leo is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Amazon Leo will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.

The Propulsion Lab Engineer will be a key member of Amazon Leo's Propulsion Manufacturing team, combining deep technical expertise with strong collaborative skills. This role will lead the development and optimization of electric propulsion manufacturing infrastructure while working across engineering disciplines. The ideal candidate will drive technical solutions for manufacturing challenges, implement process controls, and maintain critical lab equipment, while effectively partnering with Design, Quality, Systems, and Test engineers to translate requirements into robust manufacturing processes. Success in this role requires both hands-on technical leadership and the ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration to achieve manufacturing excellence.

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
• Build or Test development and production hardware in accordance with SOPs, work instructions, and engineering drawings, including component and subsystem fabrication (machining, 3D printing, rapid prototyping).
• Conduct detailed inspections and testing of production and reworked hardware to validate functionality, performance, and conformance to specifications.
• Navigate MES/SAP systems in support of production operations.
• Execute failure analysis and root cause investigations on non-conforming propulsion hardware.
• Execute hardware rework tasks as needed.
• Work with Responsible Engineers and Mfg. Engineers to diagnose and solve issues resulting in yield and throughput improvements.
• Identify and/or lead process improvement initiatives to increase rework efficiency, reduce scrap rates, maintain 5S standards and improve first-pass yield.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve integration challenges, validate rework procedures, provide design-for-manufacturability feedback, and implement corrective actions.
• Support the development and improvement of assembly and test procedures based on hands-on build experience and design-for-manufacturability feedback.
• Take loosely defined requests from engineers, clarify requirements, and develop a concrete plan of lab work owned through completion.
• Prioritize and manage a personal work queue against team goals, sequence builds and tests to prevent blockers and keep multiple efforts moving concurrently with limited supervision.
• Coordinate task execution within assigned work streams, track progress, and flag schedule or resource risks.
• Support and maintain Test and/or Mfg. team tool program for development and production stations.
• Collaborate with Amazon Leo facility team and support preventative maintenance for development and production test chambers.
• Support with Propulsion lab organization and floor space layout.
• Operate shop tools and lab equipment effectively and safely.
• Train and mentor team members on rework techniques, lab systems, tools, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Document technical issues, rework procedures, resolutions, and lessons learned.
• Track and report on rework metrics including cycle time, yield rates, defect trends, and scrap reduction.


A day in the life
The Propulsion Lab Engineer will perform a variety of tasks involving support for both Mfg. and Test infrastructure and executing on these actions. Lab Engineers will work closely with both Technicians and Manufacturing/Responsible Engineers to identify process improvements to improve both Mfg. and Test efficiency and optimization. The Lab Engineer will actively monitor Mfg./Test infrastructure, equipment health, station status, and process performance with the intent to proactively identify and action issues that could impact the efficiency, throughput, and/or overall health of the department before they escalate into production blockers.

A successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced production environment and can apply their technical expertise and commitment for quality to positively impact team metrics and organization goals. To be successful they will need to be highly motivated and detail oriented while showing the highest standards of execution.


About the team
The Amazon Leo Propulsion Manufacturing Team is responsible for the design, development, and testing of the propulsion system which provides maneuvering capability to the spacecraft. The Propulsion Team is made up of a variety of sub-teams which are responsible for various aspects of the development process, such as mechanical design, systems engineering, subject matter experts, manufacturing, and test. This integrated team structure allows direct communication and rapid process feedback while also promoting close collaboration across the team.

Basic Qualifications

- Experience planning and maintaining lab facilities for optimal efficiency and creating new processes when necessary
- • Associate’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience in a related STEM field.
- • 4+ years of experience in the assembly, integration, calibration, and test of aerospace hardware in a development or production environment.
- • Experience executing qualification test campaigns for aerospace or defense hardware.
- • Experience in hardware design and validation of components, subsystems, and systems.
- • Experience with hardware rework, assembly/disassembly, or precision manufacturing operations.
- • Experience with precision torque, measurement, and inspection devices (e.g., automated and manual torque wrenches, calipers, micrometers, profilometers, optical inspection devices, multi-meters).
- • Experience planning and maintaining lab facilities for optimal efficiency, including managing lab resources, equipment, and supplies.
- • Experience tracking and coordinating lab tasks across concurrent activities using ticketing or project management tools.
- • Experience contributing to and developing engineering documentation, procedures, and SOPs for complex working processes.
- • Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent STEM field.
- • Experience working with vacuum and/or pressurized gas systems.
- • Experience with test execution software such as Test Stand, LabVIEW, and Python.
- • Experience with testing of production hardware designed for space environments.
- • Experience building, commissioning, and maintaining test racks and testing infrastructure.
- • Experience with tube fabrication and orbital tube welding (OTW).
- • Experience scheduling and delivering high-impact test and Mfg. infrastructure scope.
- • Experience working with FOD, ESD-sensitive hardware, and cleanroom requirements, including contamination control protocols.
- • 2+ years of experience contributing to or owning a calibration and equipment tracking system.
- • Experience supporting automated test sequences or system characterization routines.
- • Background in continuous improvement frameworks (Six Sigma, Lean, 5S).
- • Experience with data analysis tools such as Excel, Pivot Tables, macros, SQL, and visualization tools (Tableau, Quick, Grafana).
- • Experience running user trials, beta testing, field testing, or collecting customer feedback.
- • Experience working with hardware and software teams for setting up, testing, and troubleshooting prototype devices.
- • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical findings clearly.

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.