Full Job Description
As an Amazon Leo Interdisciplinary RF Test System Engineer, you will own the full lifecycle of complex RF test systems and hardware development for spacecraft avionics and payload sub-systems. Your responsibilities span hardware and software development activities, RF test, system-level architecture, calibration support, and test system BOM-level CAD design. You will serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for your test set, operating at the intersection of hardware development, RF system verification, Space qualification testing, test automation, and high-rate manufacturing.
You should be comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and relish the idea of solving problems that haven't been solved at scale before. You'll have relentlessly high standards for yourself and everyone you work with, and you'll be constantly looking for ways to improve. We want individuals who want to reach beyond what is possible today. Everyone on the team needs to be entrepreneurial, wear many hats, and work in a highly collaborative environment.
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
• Architect, design, build, and sustain RF test systems for satellite modems, transceivers, BUCs, LNBs, and ground equipment through design validation, qualification, production and on-orbit support
• Support hardware and software development activities including RF subsystem design, integration, and characterization
• Perform RF test system-level path loss calibration, link budget analysis, and end-to-end signal chain verification
• Own test system BOM-level CAD design including rack layout, cable harness routing, mechanical fixture design, and documentation
• Own test planning end-to-end: decompose verification requirements into testable specifications, develop test procedures, and lead test readiness reviews
• Drive cross-functional alignment with electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, firmware, and manufacturing teams on verification strategy
• Design and deliver test hardware, fixtures, and tooling that optimize throughput, yield, and fault coverage
• Develop and maintain calibration procedures, path loss models, and measurement uncertainty budgets for RF test stations
• Build quantitative models (test coverage, reliability, throughput) to inform design trade studies and process decisions
• Automate and optimize test processes to meet production rate and first-pass yield targets
• Perform root cause analysis on test failures, lead corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement of production test systems
A day in the life
Our time is balanced between critical support/improvement of existing factory test processes, hardware development activities, and designing future test systems. This includes hands-on support troubleshooting space flight hardware and test systems, CAD design for test system BOMs, and working to align teams around future needs, employing engineering best practices and tools, including AI.
The tasks and daily focus change rapidly, and you will often take on exciting new responsibilities to ensure project success. Expect to address complex problems by diving deep into the data, identifying the scope of the issue, and creating innovative and functional solutions.
About the team
This Interdisciplinary Engineer will be a member of the Avionics Verification & Test team working within the wider RF Hardware Engineering team. This highly collaborative group of engineers has a diverse range of backgrounds and knowledge and works to build scalable and reliable test automation solutions and hardware development capabilities to ensure reliable operation of satellite vehicles in space.
The team's responsibilities include process development, test hardware and software development, and test execution supporting our 24/7 satellite manufacturing factory.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience coding in scripting languages such as Python, R, Matlab, or STATA
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- 5+ years of experience developing and executing test plans for complex aerospace, automotive, or consumer electronics systems
- 5+ years of experience designing and integrating test systems for hardware/PCBA validation
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple technical disciplines in a production or manufacturing environment
- Experience with RF path loss calibration, measurement uncertainty analysis, and signal chain characterization
- Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
- Experience with RF measurement equipment, including: power meters, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network analyzers, oscilloscopes
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
- Cross-functional product development experience from concept through production
- 10+ years hands-on with RF subsystems, PCBAs, or high-speed signal characterization
- Test plan development per space hardware standards (GEVS / SMC-S-016)
- Proven ability to bridge engineering disciplines with data-driven process improvements
- PCB/CCA design, schematic capture, DFT/DFM principles, hardware validation, and configuration control
- Software development lifecycle experience: coding standards, source control, code reviews, build processes, and operations
- Test automation frameworks (NI, Python, C/C++, LabVIEW) with modern dev practices (AI, source control, CI/CD)
- Track record delivering design reviews and performance data packages to internal and external stakeholders
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, CA, San Diego - 126,300.00 - 164,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Redmond - 117,300.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
