Space Propulsion Mechanical Engineer — Hardware Innovator

Amazon Inc.; Redmond; On-site; AUD 196,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Restricted stock units (RSUs)

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to design, build, test propulsion hardware from concept to high‑volume production. You will analyze structural and thermal aspects, generate detailed drawings, and drive qualification with rigorous testing.

You will work across systems with avionics, thermal, and satellite structure teams, applying DFMA principles to optimize part counts and assembly efficiency for space hardware.

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.
• 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

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

Skills

Mechanical design

DFMA

GD&T

Finite element analysis

Python/MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing Eng.

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Nastran

Abaqus

Ansys

Python

MATLAB

CNC machining

Welding

Additive manufacturing

Job description

Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to design, build, test propulsion hardware from concept to high‑volume production. You will analyze structural and thermal aspects, generate detailed drawings, and drive qualification with rigorous testing.

You will work across systems with avionics, thermal, and satellite structure teams, applying DFMA principles to optimize part counts and assembly efficiency for space hardware.