Mechanical Engineer, Amazon Leo OISL

Socket.dev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon seeks a Mechanical Engineer to join the Prototyping & Integration Team. You will own opto-mechanical hardware from concept to detailed design in NX and drive DVT to validate performance.

The role blends design with hands-on lab work, requiring independent judgment and rigorous execution. You will build prototypes, run experiments, and analyze results with DOE, collaborating with optical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineers to close interfaces.

Qualifications

• BS degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with NX CAD for mechanical design and drawing creation.
• Hands-on hardware integration, assembly and test execution.
• Strong GD&T knowledge (ASME Y14.5) and toleranced drawings.
• Experience with rapid prototyping (subtractive & additive)

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design of opto-mechanical hardware from concept through detailed design release in NX.
• Build, assemble, and integrate prototype hardware in the lab from first-article fabrication to full system builds.
• Drive DVT planning and execution with defined test methodologies and success criteria.
• Create DOE matrices to characterize hardware performance and guide design decisions.
• Analyze DVT results, identify root causes, and feed lessons learned into design iterations.

Skills

Hardware design

NX CAD

Hands-on testing

GD&T

Education

BS in mechanical engineering

Tools

TeamCenter PLM

NX CAD

Job description

Amazon Leo is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Within the Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) organization, you will directly contribute to the development and production of high-bandwidth free-space optical communication systems that connect satellites in orbit.

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Prototyping & Integration (PI) Team. This role owns the intersection of mechanical design and design verification testing — you will create concept designs for novel opto-mechanical hardware and drive those designs through DVT to validate performance and readiness. You will work independently, exercise sound engineering judgment, and deliver results across both design and test domains with equal rigor.

This is a unique role for an engineer who thrives at the boundary of design and validation — someone who can go from a blank sheet in NX to building and assembling prototype hardware with their own hands, and use DVT data to close the loop back into design improvements. You will balance your time equally between mechanical design activities and hands-on execution in the lab.

Key job responsibilities

• Own mechanical design of opto-mechanical hardware, fixtures, and/or GSE from concept through detailed design release in NX, applying strong design fundamentals, tolerance analysis, and GD&T expertise.
• Build, assemble, and integrate prototype hardware in the lab — from first-article fabrication through fit-checks, sub-assembly integration, and full system-level builds.
• Drive DVT planning and execution — define test methodologies, success criteria, and execute campaigns for mechanical and electromechanical assemblies.
• Build and execute structured Design of Experiments (DOE) to characterize hardware performance and generate data-driven design recommendations.
• Analyze DVT results to identify root causes, drive corrective actions, and feed lessons learned back into design iterations.
• Manage design data in TeamCenter, maintaining revision control and releasing fully toleranted drawing packages.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineers to close interface requirements between design and test.

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.

A day in the life

You split your time between your NX workstation and the lab floor. One day you are developing a concept design for a new mechanical interface, applying GD&T, and running tolerance stack-ups; the next, you are hands-on at the bench — assembling prototype hardware, building up test fixtures, and integrating sub-assemblies before executing a DVT campaign and analyzing results. In between, you are building DOE matrices, presenting findings at design reviews, and collaborating with cross-functional engineers. This role requires the ability to context-switch between creative design work and disciplined hands-on execution — you are equally comfortable behind a CAD screen and turning wrenches at a test bench.

About the team

The Prototyping & Integration (PI) Team accelerates hardware development through rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and integration of novel Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and systems for the Optical Intersatellite Link organization. Our service areas span Hardware Fabrication, Electrical Integration, Systems Hardware Development, DVT and Qualification Testing, and Quality Assurance. Our learnings are directly applied to scale aerospace manufacturing processes and enable risk reduction through comprehensive Design Verification Testing and qualification testing. We seek candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments where ownership, operational excellence, and engineering-first approaches are valued.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
• Experience in hardware design and validation of components, subsystems and systems
• Experience with NX CAD for mechanical design, including part modeling, assembly modeling, and drawing creation.
• Hands-on experience with hardware integration, assembly, and test execution in a lab or development environment.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and ability to create fully toleranced drawing packages.
• Familiarity with both subtractive machining and additive manufacturing processes for rapid prototyping.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of industry standard test automation tools and experience developing product test frameworks
• Experience communicating clearly and concisely with leadership, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams
• Experience with TeamCenter PLM for design data management, revision control, and workflow.
• Experience designing opto-mechanical hardware or precision mechanisms with tight tolerances (±0.001" or better).
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology and statistical analysis of test data.
• Knowledge of DFM principles and experience collaborating with manufacturing and quality teams.

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.

USA, CA, NORTHRIDGE - 126,300.00 - 164,800.00 USD annually