Senior Mechanical Engineer, Kuiper Government Solutions, KGS Mechanical Engineering

Amazon; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their innovative Kuiper Government Solutions team. This role involves developing cutting-edge mechanical designs for satellite and ground systems, focusing on delivering robust, data-backed solutions to meet customer needs. Ideal candidates will possess extensive experience in mechanical design, structural and thermal analysis, and CAD systems. Join a collaborative environment where your expertise will contribute to groundbreaking projects aimed at providing high-speed broadband connectivity to underserved communities. This is a unique opportunity to work on complex programs with diverse teams, making a significant impact in the aerospace sector.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and engineering.
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis methods and tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical design and layout trade studies for satellite payloads.
• Conduct structural and thermal finite element analyses for design validation.
• Prepare technical documentation for design reviews and proposals.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Structural Analysis

Thermal Analysis

CAD Systems

Electro-Mechanical Systems Integration

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

FeMap

Nastran

Thermal Desktop

Ansys

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Kuiper Government Solutions, KGS Mechanical Engineering

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Description

Project Kuiper aims to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites providing low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities worldwide.

The Kuiper Government Engineering team is a multidisciplinary group developing scalable solutions for satellite and ground applications, working closely with core Kuiper teams and addressing specific customer needs, including government agencies. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be crucial in delivering innovative analysis and design for space and ground systems and sub-systems.

The ideal candidate has a background in space-based and ground-based mechanical design, electro-mechanical systems integration, and experience optimizing payloads and system architectures. This hands-on, collaborative role requires converting analytic trade studies into space-qualified payloads, meeting cross-disciplinary requirements, and focusing on customer needs through thermal and structural analyses.

The candidate should have experience working on complex programs with diverse teams and partners, with leadership potential for small mechanical engineering sub-teams, and the ability to produce clear, technical reports.

Key job responsibilities

1. Perform mechanical design and layout trade studies for satellite payloads, structures, ground communication equipment, and test hardware, integrating inputs from cross-disciplinary teams.
2. Conduct or oversee structural and thermal finite element analyses to support design validation against customer requirements.
3. Facilitate cost trade-offs among configurations considering manufacturability and design uncertainties.
4. Create detailed designs and drawings using CAD systems with GD&T specifications.
5. Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for design reviews and proposals.
6. Design and support testing campaigns for space hardware, including development and qualification tests.
7. Engage directly with customers to understand requirements and translate them into robust, data-backed solutions.

Security Clearance: US Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and engineering
• At least 1 year of experience with structural analysis methods and tools
• At least 1 year of experience with thermal analysis tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field
• 5+ years designing space-based electro-mechanical systems
• 3+ years using NX CAD for modeling and drawings
• 3+ years using structural and thermal analysis tools (e.g., FeMap, Nastran, Thermal Desktop, Ansys)

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants regardless of veteran status, disability, or other protected categories. For applicants in Los Angeles County, duties include safety, cooperation, effective communication, and adherence to laws and policies, with considerations for criminal history under the Fair Chance Ordinance.

We support inclusive culture and workplace accommodations. Compensation ranges from $128,600 to $213,600 annually, depending on location, experience, and skills, with potential additional benefits. For more info, visit Amazon Benefits. Applications are accepted via our career site until filled.