Embedded Software Development Engineer, Amazon Leo Optical Inter-Satellite Link

Amazon; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

RSUs

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer for the Optical Inter-Satellite Link team. You will design, implement, and optimize the switch-management and networking stack that enables high-speed, low-latency communication across a satellite constellation.

You will collaborate with hardware, optics, and systems teams to test and deploy flight software, drivers, and protocols on embedded Linux, while building robust diagnostics and observability tooling. A background in space systems is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience.
• 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture experience.
• Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience in Linux and Networking protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and enhance switch-management software for deterministic, low-latency packet forwarding.
• Design and optimize networking layers of flight software for optical inter-satellite links.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and deploy high-speed optical systems and networking stacks.
• Build tooling for network diagnostics, observability, and fault isolation.

Skills

Software development

System design

Networking knowledge

Embedded Linux

Linux experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Math

Tools

ARM-based SoCs

Embedded Linux

Job description

Key job responsibilities

Design, implement, and enhance the switch-management software — from translating routes received from a centralized SDN controller into forwarding-table entries, to building MAC-learning and loop-prevention logic for a redundant switch topology — that enables deterministic, low-latency packet forwarding across the constellation

Design and optimize the networking layers of flight software for optical inter-satellite link systems, spanning network device drivers and protocol implementations on embedded Linux

Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including hardware, optics, systems, communications, and operations engineers — to integrate, test, and deploy high-speed optical communication systems and the networking stack that underpins space-based connectivity

Build and extend operational tooling for network diagnostics and observability — including routing-table inspection, packet capture and analysis, structured logging, and metrics emission — that enables rapid fault isolation and performance trending across the satellite mesh

A day in the life

As a Software Engineer on the Optical Inter-Satellite Link team, you won't just write code — you'll see it fly. Your software will control and monitor high-speed laser communications between satellites moving at orbital velocities, and you'll be there for every stage of the journey: from early design and ground-based verification to watching your code commission an optical link for the first time in orbit. On the networking side, you'll design and debug the switching fabric that routes traffic across the constellation — ensuring packets traverse inter-satellite links with minimal latency and maximum reliability.

About the team

You will join a multi-disciplinary team of exceptional engineers whose work spans an unusually broad scope: embedded flight software running on satellites in orbit, cloud-based systems powering mission and network operations, automation frameworks that keep a growing constellation healthy, and AI-driven capabilities that make our optical links smarter with every orbit. We collaborate closely with optical, electrical, firmware, opto-mechanical, and operations teams — and with partner organizations including Mission Operations and Optical Network Operations — to deliver one of the most advanced optical communication systems ever built.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
• 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
• Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
• Experience in Linux and Networking protocols

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded software for space systems, including optical communication systems, laser terminals, or high-speed serial interfaces
• Experience with ARM-based SoCs

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 .

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