Structural Analysis Manager, Leo Structural Analysis Team

Socket.dev; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Amazon Leo is seeking a Structural Analysis Manager to lead the team responsible for spacecraft structural integrity across generations, including primary structures, secondary structures, and payloads. You will mentor engineers, set technical direction, and drive rigorous analysis practices and documentation standards.

The role requires strong background in aerospace structural development, leadership experience, and ability to balance engineering judgment with analysis rigor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent.
• 8+ years of experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures, incl. leadership role.
• Experience with FEM modeling and analytical sizing methods.
• Experience with FE codes and validation against test data.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of structural analysis engineers; manage hiring, performance, and career growth.
• Define and own the structural analysis strategy for primary structures, including analytical methods and FEM modeling approaches.
• Own structural integrity of the complete satellite (primary/secondary structures and payload).
• Drive best practices for analysis rigor, model fidelity, and documentation standards.
• Perform and/or review structural analyses and stress reports substantiating drawings and documents.
• Support verification for spacecraft dispenser primary structures and interface with launch providers.
• Oversee schedule, budget, and status for the structures analysis scope and communicate to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

FEM modeling

Nastran/Ansys/Abaqus

Aerospace structural analysis

Bolted joints analysis

Test-analysis correlation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing Eng

Tools

Nastran

Ansys

Abaqus

Siemens NX

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 leader is responsible for the structural integrity of the entire satellite - across generations - including primary structures, secondary structures, and attached payload, ensuring end-to-end verification from component through system level. They will mentor engineers, set technical direction, follow and continuously improve established methods, tools, and processes across the team. This Structural Analysis Manager must have a strong background in spacecraft structural development and must be able to understand the balance between engineering judgment versus analysis rigor and when each is appropriate.

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

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of structural analysis engineers; manage hiring, performance, and career growth
• Define and own the structural analysis strategy for primary structures, including analytical methods, system-level FEM modeling approaches, load path definition, and verification methodologies
• Own structural integrity of the complete satellite (primary structures, secondary structures, and attached payload), ensuring cohesive analysis coverage across all structural elements
• Drive technical excellence across the team by establishing best practices for analysis rigor, model fidelity, and documentation standards
• Perform and/or review structural analysis tasks and stress reports substantiating engineering drawings and documents
• Support engineering data reviews and compliance verification for spacecraft dispenser primary structures; interface with multiple launch vehicle providers to deliver required verification artifacts (e.g., load comparisons, interface load verification, margin of safety reports)
• Own schedule, budget, and technical status for the structures analysis scope; communicate effectively to leadership
• Support test execution, review results, and ensure verification of structural requirements is complete and well-documented
• Lead production and operations support activities, serving as a subject matter expert (SME) working with MRB/liaison partner organizations on complex non-conformance dispositions that fall outside standard repair documentation
• Drive configuration development and trade studies with clear decision frameworks
• Represent the team in internal/external design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), program gates / design reviews (CD/PDR/CDR/QR/FRR)
• Coordinate cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, test, ground support equipment and systems engineering to ensure structural integrity across the program
• Identify and remove technical and organizational blockers for the team; manage and upscale risks proactively

A day in the life

This Structural Analysis Manager will be the technical owner of spacecraft structures analysis and the system-level FEM model, including all interface coordination across adjacent subsystems. You will balance hands‑on technical work with people leadership - setting the bar for model fidelity, mentoring engineers on when simplified vs high fidelity methods are appropriate, and ensuring the team delivers high-quality, on‑time analysis packages. You will represent Structural Integrity and Analysis in cross‑functional forums and drive alignment on loads, interfaces, and verification approaches.

About the team

The Structural Analysis team is responsible for Structural Integrity of not only the spacecraft but all supporting flight and ground support hardware across the program, inside and outside of the Mechanical Engineering group.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent field
• 8+ years of experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures, including at least 2 years in a technical leadership or people management role
• Experience in most of the following areas:
• Vehicle load path definition, development of free-body diagrams, and strength analysis (both metallic and composite structures)
• Classical aerospace analytical sizing methods
• Finite element analysis codes (Nastran, Ansys, or Abaqus), including FEM modeling techniques such as boundary conditions, element types, structural idealization, bolted connections, contact, and verification methods
• Analysis of stability‑critical structures
• Bolted joint calculations: bolt preload, joint stiffness, shear‑tension interaction, bearing‑bypass
• Building block testing of structures—from coupon through element, sub‑component, and full‑scale levels—including test‑analysis correlation and model validation against test data
• Documentation of analyses through formal structural analysis reports (stress memos, substantiation reports, verification closure documents)
• Demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and retain strong engineering talent
• Experience establishing analysis processes, standards, and documentation practices for a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in aerospace structural analysis with 4+ years managing analysis teams
• Experience with composite and metallic damage tolerance methods (e.g., barely visible impact damage (BVID), fatigue, crack growth, residual strength, no‑growth approaches)
• Experience with dynamic structural analyses, testing and correlation, including random vibration, sine sweep/burst, mechanical shock, and acoustic environments
• Knowledge of SMC‑S‑016 (Test Requirements for Launch, Upper‑Stage, and Space Vehicles) or equivalent military/commercial test standards—specifically the philosophy and application of qualification and acceptance test levels, durations, and margins used to demonstrate design adequacy and screen for workmanship defects in flight hardware
• CAD experience – Siemens NX (or equivalent)
• Track record of delivering structural analysis packages on aggressive schedules in a high‑rate production environment
• Experience with rapid iteration and design‑for‑manufacturing considerations in structural analysis

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 - 175,100.00 - 236,900.00 USD annually