Satellite Processing - Propellant Loading Engineer, First Shift, Amazon Leo

Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network. Its mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet to customers and communities around the world, and we’ve designed the system with the capacity, flexibility, and performance to serve a wide range of customers, from individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

Export Control : This position requires that the candidate selected be a U.S. Citizen in order to comply with U.S. government-imposed requirements related to the nature of the work and/or where it will be performed.

The success of Leo depends on the quality, reliability, cost, integration, throughput, and security of the products delivered. It is a fast-paced, dynamic environment. As part of the Leo team, you will solve difficult problems where resolutions have high impact, and help create a brand new set of launch site processes and standards. To be successful you need to be highly motivated and detail oriented while maintaining the highest standards of execution.

The Propellant Loading Engineer is responsible for performing satellite propellant loading operations and system tests per propulsion test requirements, authors and updates operational procedures, implements process controls, and pursues continuous improvement initiatives. This individual will work closely with other launch operations and satellite manufacturing teams and their leadership.

The ideal candidate is comfortable in a highly technical and collaborative setting. They have extensive experience in spaceflight hardware system integration, test, and operations, especially with high-pressure propulsion, pneumatic, or fluids systems. The propellant loading system consists of cryogenic liquid Nitrogen and high-pressure gaseous Argon and Krypton.

Key job responsibilities

Working with engineering team to plan and optimize workstation layouts to achieve intended throughput capacities

Material flow planning and manufacturing process definition

Implement and continuously improve assembly, integration and test processes

Specify and procure equipment and systems to meet program development requirements

Interface with facilities personnel in site usage and integration flow

Takt time & cost optimization planning

Definition & implementation of Work Order and automated documentation processes

Payload compliance certification sign-off

Anomaly resolution and corrective action implementation

Domestic and international travel up to 25%

A day in the life

The Propellant Loading Engineer will meet with the team of engineers and technicians at the beginning of shift to establish priorities for satellite propellant loading operations in the day and week ahead. They will collaborate with other engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to execute satellite processing operations and support overall mission processing timelines. They will address root cause of failures and issues, and implement production control and optimization strategies through continuous improvement. They will lead their team by example and by instruction as a senior engineer to implement engineering best practices in a safe and repeatable manner, pursue operational efficiency, and reduce non-conformances within their span of control.

About the team

The Propellant Loading Team is part of the Satellite Processing Zone at Amazon Leo's Payload Processing Facility (PPF). The SAT Zone is responsible for receiving each satellite from the factory in WA, testing, processing, and readying them for dispenser integration, stacking, and launch.

The Prop Load team's mission is to safely, consistently, and efficiently load Krypton propellant on all satellites that will be launched to populate the Amazon Leo constellation.

The team is based at the Comet PPF in Kennedy Space Center, and travels to support propulsion operations at other PPFs as the launch manifest requires.

Basic qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field

- 2+ years’ experience working with mechanical and/or propulsion or pneumatic systems

- 1+ years’ experience authoring and executing test procedures that verify test requirements

- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Passport

- Ability and willingness to comply with the Government of French Guiana which mandates that travelers receive vaccinations for yellow fever and COVID-19

- Ability to pass Kennedy Space Center background checks

Preferred qualifications

- Experience in gathering test requirements to create detailed test plans and defining quality metrics to measure product quality

- Knowledge of Six Sigma tools, Lean techniques, PMP or similar standards preferred

- Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities

- Can lift up to 49 pounds, stand/walk during shifts lasting up to 12 hours, and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach

- Experience in space vehicle/satellite operations

- 4+ years’ experience working with mechanical and/or propulsion or pneumatic systems

- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design, test and operation from concept to production

- Experienced with various automated manufacturing processes, including assembly and test methods at component level, subsystem, and system level

- Experienced with handling and tracking systems for continuous material flow to manufacturing lines

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, FL, Merritt Island - 117,300.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually