Sr. System Development Engineer, Antenna System Validation
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 17, 2026. First seen by Alion on Jul 28, 2026. Amazon scores A on the Alion truth index.
Amazon Leo is a long-term Amazon program to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO); providing low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Direct-to-Device (D2D) is Leo's initiative to enable standard smartphones and IoT devices to connect directly to satellites, filling coverage gaps in remote areas.
As a System Development Engineer, you will design and develop hardware, firmware, and/or software solutions for antenna systems supporting both our current production satellites and new programs including D2D and our next-generation satellite constellation. You'll work closely with hardware, RF, and software teams to bring up, test, and ship systems that combine custom hardware, FPGAs, and embedded firmware and see your work in the lab or in orbit.
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
- Own design and implementation of hardware, firmware, software, or FPGA components for antenna systems
- Collaborate with systems architects and cross-functional hardware, firmware, and software teams to define, implement, test, and release new antenna hardware and software capabilities
- Support bring-up, characterization, and validation of antenna subsystems in the lab and on test hardware
- Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, firmware, and software issues found during development, integration, or production testing
- Contribute to design reviews and technical documentation for new hardware, firmware, and software
A day in the life
Most days, you're working with cross-functional teams talking through requirements with antenna and hardware engineers, sketching out designs, and writing documentation others will rely on. Some days you're in the lab instead, hands on the hardware.
About the team
Our team validates payload phased arrays. The antennas we work with are packed with many processors and hundreds/thousands of individual elements working in sync. We test designs, find what breaks, and build the tools that make that possible. We partner closely with antenna, hardware, and firmware engineers. We take pride in catching problems before launch since once it's in orbit, there's no fixing it by hand.
Basic qualifications
- 5+ years of programming with at least one modern language such as C++, C#, Java, Python, Golang, PowerShell, Ruby experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field
- Experience with digital design, verification, or embedded firmware development (e.g., SystemVerilog/VHDL RTL, UVM testbenches, or microcontroller firmware)
- Experience using common electronics test equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, function generators, etc.)
Preferred qualifications
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience with FPGA design and implementation using SystemVerilog or VHDL
- Experience with DSP or multi-rate signal processing design
- Experience with phased array antennas or other complex RF systems
- Experience with test automation using Python and lab instrument control (e.g., PyVISA)
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 - 151,200.00 - 204,600.00 USD annually