Senior Payload Integration & Test RF Communications System Engineer, Amazon Leo

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.

As a Sr. PIT RF Communications System Payload Integration and Test Engineer, you will engage with an experienced cross-disciplinary team to design and test innovative product solutions. You will work closely with colleagues throughout Project Kuiper’s inter-disciplinary team and engage third party suppliers in order to drive key aspects of product definition, execution, and optimization. You must be responsive, flexible and able to succeed within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

As a member of the Payload Integration and Test team, you will be responsible for verification and validation of the entire wireless system composed of multiple wireless components. This includes testing, analyzing, and optimizing RF systems from baseband modems to RF transceivers to phased-array antennas.

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

- Design, implement, test, and troubleshoot satellite payload testbeds to validate constellation hardware and software builds

- Define test plans, procedures, pass/fail criteria, and other KPI metrics for lab and RF chamber testing

- Deep-dive into component and subsystem designs to document expectations, evaluate tests, remedy test failures, and provide quick feedback to improve performance

- Collaborate with diverse technical teams such as embedded & cloud software, modem, networking, mechanical, and compliance teams to validate system functionality and performance

- Implement, validate, and optimize RF lab set-ups composed of antenna, measurement equipment, and prototype equipment, including analyzing RF link budgets

- Configure test equipment for automated operation: satellite link emulator, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, etc.

- Interpret test results, troubleshoot issues, and perform root-cause analysis for any test failures

- Document and report test results, test coverage, and other KPI metrics and communicate issues and status effectively with developers and leadership

Basic qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline with 10+ years of RF, satellite, aerospace, or related industry experience.

- 5+ years of experience in RF design, testing and/or verification with launched products

Preferred qualifications

- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.

- Experience with RF payload satellite testing & verification, system integration and RF system analysis

- Experience with communications theory and RF systems: S-parameters, losses, polarization, MIMO, free-space optics, spread spectrum, matching, etc.

- Understanding of the challenges associated with low-Earth-orbit satellite communications: frequency bands, regulatory, earth stations, path loss, power spectral density, power flux density, etc.

- Hands-on experience with RF measurement equipment, including: power meters, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network analyzers, oscilloscopes

- Proficiency with scripting/automation (Python, Bash, or similar) for test development

- Experience with dashboard development, including SQL/Grafana/Quicksight or similar

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 - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually