Senior Mechanical Engineer, Propulsion, Amazon Leo

Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Amazon Leo is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own propulsion hardware from concept through high-volume production and on-orbit operation. You will tackle mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid challenges for thrusters, cathodes, and related hardware in a cross-functional team environment.

The role emphasizes first-principles analysis, design verification, DFMA-minded optimization, and thorough documentation to enable production without ambiguity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or above.
• 7+ years of technical engineering experience.
• Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete lifecycle of propulsion subsystems from design through production and on-orbit performance.
• Solve mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid problems on space-grade hardware using first-principles analysis.
• Lead system-level trade studies and iterate designs to inform product development.
• Produce complete design documentation including drawings, analyses, and test plans.
• Apply DFMA practices to minimize parts and optimize assembly for high-rate production.
• Plan and execute vacuum chamber tests and environmental qualification.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Collaborate across plasma physics, avionics, thermal, structures, and materials teams.

Skills

Design verification

Functional testing

Mechanical design

DFMA

Thermal analysis

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks, NX, Creo)

Job description

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies, Amazon Leo serves people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

As a Mechanical Engineer within the propulsion team you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of propulsion hardware from first-principles concept through high-volume production and on-orbit operation. You will combine analytical rigor with build-and-test ownership to produce hardware that is lightweight, cost-effective, and performs consistently at scale. This is a hands-on role which requires collaboration across functional boundaries to develop thrusters, cathodes, and the mechanical hardware that interfaces directly with the plasma discharge environment.

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

• Own the complete lifecycle of one or more propulsion subsystems - thrusters, cathodes, fluidic feed systems, or power processing units - from conceptual design through qualification, high-volume production, and on-orbit performance monitoring
• Solve complex mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and fluid system problems on space-grade hardware, using first-principles analysis to drive design decisions and resolve ambiguity quickly
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and lead system-level trade studies. Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level trades and steer product development
• Produce complete design documentation - drawings, tolerance analyses, structural & thermal analyses, and test plans - at a level of detail that drives production without ambiguity
• Apply DFMA practices to minimize part counts, reduce fastener counts, optimize assembly sequences, and error-proof fabrication and integration steps for a high-rate production environment
• Plan and execute vacuum chamber tests, performance characterization, and environmental qualification to validate analytical models and demonstrate compliance
• Lead root cause investigations for hardware failures and non-conformances; owning corrective action through closure
• Work cross-functionally with experts in plasma physics, avionics, thermal, structures, and materials as an accountable technical partner across the full product lifecycle

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
• Bachelor's degree or above in Mechanical Engineering
• Experience in the design of complex mechanical products and equipment at volume
• 7+ years of technical engineering experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in aerospace or mechanical engineering, or related discipline
• Experience designing, building, and testing electric propulsion subsystems such as Hall effect thrusters, cathode assemblies, or ion engines
• Experience with pressurized fluid component design, analysis, and testing
• CAD software expertise (SolidWorks, NX, Creo, etc)
• Strong GD&T background, including tolerance stack analysis on complex multi-component assemblies
• Experience with structural analysis methods for spacecraft: static margin, modal analysis, random vibration, shock response spectrum, and fatigue
• Experience with thermal analysis: conduction and radiation modeling, thermal isolator and strap selection, heat dissipation paths, and temperature prediction across operational and survival environments
• Proficiency with scripting (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent) for analysis and data visualization

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, Flex