Spacecraft Hardware Development Specialist II, Amazon Leo DevOps

Amazon 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.

This role is for an experienced, self-directed individual who will work on development hardware to meet the needs of Amazon Leo. You'll partner directly with design engineers to iterate hardware quickly and qualify it for space, following that hardware through the full arc of development — initial prototyping, development builds, testing, and rigorous qualification testing — while working independently and seeking guidance only as needed. You'll also help shape the lab spaces themselves, adapting layout and equipment as designs change, and you'll begin sharing that expertise with teammates as the team grows. This is an R&D focused position covering the full range of hardware development lab support — assembly, troubleshooting, testing, equipment upkeep, and documentation — so expect the day-to-day to shift as project needs change.

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
Work independently on ambiguous problems, seeking guidance from peers or management as needed
Partner directly with design engineers to iterate hardware quickly, optimize manufacturability, and qualify hardware for space
Support hardware through the full development arc — initial prototyping, development builds, testing, and rigorous qualification testing
Troubleshoot complex hardware and test setup issues, driving problems to root cause
Mechanical and electrical assembly of various spacecraft mechanisms
Engineer and adapt lab spaces and equipment to meet evolving customer needs, keeping labs clean, organized, and functioning well for their intended purpose, including tracking equipment calibrations
Design and build custom test fixtures, tooling, and automation equipment to support test and build needs
Develop and maintain clear engineering documentation, including work instructions, build notes, and test reports
Estimate schedule and resource requirements for lab engineering tasks
Help train and cross-train teammates on lab equipment, tools, and processes
Identify and help implement lab process improvements
Familiarity with aerospace/space quality standards for mechanical and electrical components

About the team
The Amazon Leo Development Operations (DevOps) team builds and maintains the labs and hardware infrastructure that let engineering teams design, prototype, and test satellite hardware quickly. We support projects from first prototype through qualification testing, and our team members cross-train across assembly, test, and lab equipment so we can flex to wherever the work is needed. Priorities shift fast as designs evolve, and you'll often move between projects to keep pace with what engineering teams need next. We take pride in keeping our labs and equipment in excellent shape, and we hold ourselves to a high standard because the hardware we build and test directly impacts what makes it to space.

Basic Qualifications

- 2+ years of hardware development, test lab, space/aerospace maintenance or hands-on engineering environment experience
- Bachelor's degree or above in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, physics or equivalent, or experience working in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)
- Can lift up to 49 pounds, stand/walk during shifts lasting up to 12 hours, and be able to frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach
- 3+ years relevant experience beyond degree requirement (or 7+ years total relevant experience in lieu of degree)
- 6+ years in a Space/Aerospace/Military/Precision fabrication/Test environment
- 2+ years experience working with precision mechanical and electrical fabrication/testing
- Must be able to climb a ladder and work at heights above 6 feet
- May need to operate heavy equipment including overhead cranes and electric lifts. Rigging and hoisting tasks may be performed.
- Good vision, mental sharpness, alertness and function in confined spaces

Preferred Qualifications

- 8+ years in a Space/Aerospace/Military/Precision fabrication/Test environment
- Demonstrated expertise in a lab engineering domain (e.g., mechanical prototyping, electrical testing, environmental/qualification testing, or fixture design)
- Experience supporting hardware qualification testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, etc.)
- Experience designing and building custom test fixtures and tooling
- Familiarity with hardware testing procedures and instrumentation setups (data acquisition, strain gauges, load cells, etc.)
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and GD&T
- Experience leading or managing a team lab, including calibration tracking and preventive maintenance programs
- Familiarity with basic machining operations (manual mill, lathe, etc.)
- Experience mentoring junior technicians or engineers
- A&P certificate, IPC 620, 610 or J-STD

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 - 99,400.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually