Structural Analysis Manager, Leo Structural Analysis Team

Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC is seeking a Structural Analysis Manager to lead a team of engineers responsible for spacecraft structures analysis, including system-level FEM modeling and interface coordination with subsystems.

The role requires ensuring model fidelity, mentoring engineers on appropriate fidelity methods, and delivering high-quality verification artifacts for structural requirements across the program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent field.

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 and secondary structures) and attached payload; ensure cohesive analysis coverage across structural elements.
• Drive best practices for analysis rigor, model fidelity, and documentation standards; review stress reports and verification artifacts.

Skills

Structural analysis

Leadership

FEM modeling

Load path definition

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Nastran

Ansys

Abaqus

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.

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 elevate 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, s