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 is a broad scoped position providing manufacturing test ownership of multiple environmental test systems—including TVAC, HASS, and thermal chamber platforms—for the Leo's satellite program. You will be supporting new satellite testing early in the production ramp phase, providing critical design-for-test input and supporting production of the environmental testing process for fiber optic, RF, and electrical satellite components.
As a Systems Development Engineer on the Environmental Test team, you will drive troubleshooting and continuous improvement of test systems while building on existing designs to meet the demands of production. Our satellites rely on both fiber optic links and RF cabling between subsystems, and both are tested heavily in environmental test. Many of our test racks integrate optical instrumentation (optical power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, light sources, optical switches) alongside RF test equipment (vector network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, power sensors), and you will own the integration, calibration, and reliability of these measurement chains—optical and RF alike—together with the thermal and electrical systems that support them. You will develop automation strategies and implement error-proofing measures that increase test stability and system resiliency, including safeguards specific to each domain: connector cleanliness controls, insertion loss verification, and bend-radius protection on the optical side; torque-controlled connections, cable phase stability, and calibration reference integrity on the RF side. This role sits at the intersection of hardware, software, and production operations, requiring the ability to author high-quality code, build reliable hardware, and write clear, future-proof documentation.
We are looking for a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, brings hands-on test expertise in fiber optics and RF—with depth in at least one and working fluency in the other—and can seamlessly bridge the gap between engineering design and production execution.
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
* Hands-on experience testing fiber optic/photonic components and RF components or assemblies, with familiarity across both instrument families: optical power meters, optical spectrum analyzers (OSA), and spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and RF power meters.
* Working knowledge of the core measurement fundamentals in both domains—insertion loss, return loss, and wavelength stability on the optical side; S-parameters, VSWR, insertion loss, phase stability, and passive intermodulation (PIM) on the RF side—and how these parameters behave across thermal and vacuum environments.
* Experience integrating optical and RF instrumentation into automated environmental test racks, including fiber management and connector inspection standards (e.g., IEC 61300-3-35), RF connector torque and care practices, and calibration/reference verification practices for both measurement types (optical references; VNA cal kits, e-cal, and de-embedding of test cabling).
* Experience with test automation frameworks like TestStand, Robot Framework, or similar tools for creating and managing automated test sequences.
* Ability to read and troubleshoot automated scripts that execute test cases, record results, and handle exceptions.
* Strong debugging skills for identifying issues in test scripts, hardware setups, and measurement paths in both domains—e.g., distinguishing true DUT degradation from connector contamination, fiber stress, or instrument drift on the optical side, and from cable flexure, loose or damaged connectors, thermal drift of test cabling, or stale calibrations on the RF side.
* Familiarity with test equipment error logs, signal analysis, and troubleshooting hardware and software integration problems across electrical, optical, and RF domains.
* Understanding of hardware communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C, RS232, Ethernet, GPIB/VISA) to interface with test equipment or devices under test (DUT).
* Proficiency in developing manufacturing process controls to ensure product quality and consistency, including defining key process parameters, implementing statistical process control (SPC) methods, and integrating mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) techniques.
A day in the life
Your responsibilities will include identifying and resolving testing issues to keep production on schedule, as well as driving efficiency improvements through automation and process changes. You will collaborate closely with manufacturing, design, thermal, electrical, RF, and optical/photonics engineering teams to achieve these objectives.
* 40% on the shop floor, working with production teams to implement new processes, review & solve key technical blockers in production, performing production development testing, maintaining measurement integrity across test racks (optical calibration and connector inspection; RF calibration verification, cable health checks, and torque audits), etc.
* 30% independent development work analyzing production and test data—including optical and RF performance trends across environmental cycles—to identify and implement key production improvement actions, acting on quality escapes by developing and implementing new quality control measures, developing & executing to existing roadmaps for capacity increase, process simplification, etc.
* 30% meeting settings, collaborating with others on topics such as new design introductions (including qualification of new optical and RF components), production process change management, production solution finding reviews, etc.
About the team
The Environmental Test team is responsible for rigorous testing of satellite components to ensure products are ready for the harsh environment of space. The team’s responsibilities include dynamics, thermal and vacuum testing using automated scripts for functional and performance testing during Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) in environmental chambers.
The tasks and daily focus change rapidly, and you will often take on exciting new responsibilities to ensure project success. Expect to be deployed to address complex problems by identifying the scope of the issue and quickly establishing innovative and functional solutions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science or a related field.
- 2+ years experience developing and executing test plans for complex aerospace, automotive or consumer electronics systems.
- Experience with test automation frameworks (TestStand, Robot Framework, or similar) and troubleshooting test plans with automated scripts that execute test cases, record results, and handle exceptions
- Hands-on experience testing fiber optic/photonic components or RF components, including operating relevant instrumentation
- Experience working directly with production teams on the shop floor to resolve technical blockers and implement process changes
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in development of test plans and protocols related to established Space Hardware test processes (GEVS / SMC-S-016)
- 2+ years of scripting or programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C, Labview)
- Hands-on test experience in both fiber optic and RF domains, including how insertion loss, return loss, wavelength stability, S-parameters, and phase stability behave across thermal and vacuum environments
- Familiarity with optical connector inspection and cleanliness standards (e.g., IEC 61300-3-35) and RF connector care, torque practices, and calibration verification (cal kits, e-cal, de-embedding)
- Experience implementing SPC methods and poka-yoke/mistake-proofing in a high-volume manufacturing test environment
- Experience qualifying new test equipment and authoring test system documentation for design and process change management
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, Kirkland - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually