Spacecraft Hardware Development Specialist, Amazon Leo DevOps

Socket.dev; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon Leo Development Operations is seeking a hands-on hardware engineer to take development hardware from concept through production for space hardware. You will work with design engineers to iterate quickly, qualify for space, and support labs with assembly, testing, and documentation.

The role involves full lab responsibilities, including calibrations, creating automation for test needs, and maintaining clear build notes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of tools and measurement devices (oscilloscope, frequency analyzer, or equivalent).
• Associate degree or equivalent in Electronics, Mechanics, Product Design, Manufacturing Technologies, or other STEM discipline.
• 4+ years in a Space/Aerospace/Military/Precision fabrication/Test environment.
• 1+ year experience with precision mechanical and electrical fabrication/testing.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and climb ladders to heights.

Responsibilities

• Work with minimal guidance; partner with design engineers to iterate hardware quickly and qualify for space.
• Perform mechanical and electrical assembly of spacecraft mechanisms and related test fixtures.
• Troubleshoot hardware and test setups to root cause issues and ensure robust designs.
• Develop and adapt lab spaces and equipment to evolving customer needs; track calibrations.

Skills

Oscilloscope basics

Electronics fundamentals

Space/Aerospace experience

Precision fabrication

Manual lifting up to 50 lbs

Working at heights

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent in Electronics/Mechanics/Engineering

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 will serve people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

This role is for a highly dynamic and motivated individual that will work on development hardware to meet the needs of Amazon Leo. We are looking for an individual who works well with engineering teams under minimal oversight to take hardware from concept to production. You'll partner directly with design engineers to iterate hardware quickly and qualify it for space, following that hardware through the full arc of development — initial prototyping, development builds, testing, and rigorous qualification testing. You'll also help shape the lab spaces themselves, adapting layout and equipment as designs change to keep labs clean, well-organized, and set up to serve their engineering customers. This will be an R&D focused position, and the work covers the full range of hardware development lab support — assembly, troubleshooting, testing, equipment upkeep, and documentation — so expect the day-to-day to shift as project needs change.

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

• Able to work with minimal guidance and instruction
• Partner directly with design engineers to iterate hardware quickly, optimize manufacturability, and qualify hardware for space
• Support hardware through the full development arc — initial prototyping, development builds, testing, and rigorous qualification testing
• Mechanical and electrical assembly of various spacecraft mechanisms
• Troubleshoot hardware and test setup issues, working through problems to root cause
• Engineer and adapt lab spaces and equipment to meet evolving customer needs, keeping labs clean, organized, and functioning well for their intended purpose, including tracking equipment calibrations
• Develop custom automation equipment to support test and build needs
• Maintain clear work documentation, including build notes and test records
• Accurately estimate time required to complete tasks, and meet deadlines as assigned
• Participate constructively and take ownership in the success of interdisciplinary projects
• Familiarity with aerospace/space quality standards for mechanical and electrical components

About the team

The Amazon Leo Development Operations (DevOps) team builds and maintains the labs and hardware infrastructure that let engineering teams design, prototype, and test satellite hardware quickly. We support projects from first prototype through qualification testing, and our team members cross-train across assembly, test, and lab equipment so we can flex to wherever the work is needed. Priorities shift fast as designs evolve, and you'll often move between projects to keep pace with what engineering teams need next. We take pride in keeping our labs and equipment in excellent shape, and we hold ourselves to a high standard because the hardware we build and test directly impacts what makes it to space.

Basic Qualifications

• Knowledge of tools and measurement devices (oscilloscope, frequency analyzer, or equivalent)
• Associate's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Electronics, Mechanics, Product Design, Manufacturing Technologies, or other STEM discipline
• 4+ years in a Space/Aerospace/Military/Precision fabrication/Test environment
• 1+ year experience working with precision mechanical and electrical fabrication/testing
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to climb a ladder and work at heights above 6 feet

Preferred Qualifications

• 6+ years in a Space/Aerospace/Military/Precision fabrication/Test environment
• Experience in a R&D/development/Test role highly desirable
• Experience supporting hardware qualification testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, etc.)
• Familiarity with basic machining operations (manual mill, lathe, etc.)
• Experience designing or building custom test fixtures and tooling
• Familiarity with hardware testing procedures and instrumentation setups (data acquisition, strain gauges, load cells, etc.)
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and GD&T
• Experience organizing or maintaining a lab or shop space, including equipment calibration tracking
• Exposure to production equipment and processes
• A&P certificate, IPC 620, 610 or J-STD

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, 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, WA, Redmond - 39.47 - 69.08 USD hourly