Amazon

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Antenna Test & Automation, Leo Antenna Test Infrastructure

Amazon • $159K — $215K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or higher.
  • 7+ years in mechanical design for tooling and fixtures in precision engineering or aerospace.
  • Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and PLM systems (Teamcenter preferred).
  • Skilled in GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stackup analysis.
  • Experienced in structural and thermal FEA for validating designs.
  • Familiar with CMM programming, operation, and first-article inspection techniques.
  • Proven project management skills in mechanical design, including budgeting and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

  • Lead mechanical design for RF OTA test chambers and related equipment.
  • Design test fixtures and ergonomic handling aids for integration and testing phases.
  • Apply GD&T standards and conduct tolerance stackup analysis.
  • Perform structural and thermal FEA to ensure design validation pre-fabrication.
  • Create production-quality documentation (2D drawings, 3D models, BOMs).
  • Conduct design reviews, enforce mechanical standards, and mentor junior engineers.
  • Manage RF chamber design projects from scope definition to commissioning.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to align on specifications.
  • Coordinate with internal shops and external vendors on fabrication and material sourcing.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription).
  • 401(k) matching.
  • Paid time off and parental leave.
  • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
  • Mental health support and employee assistance program (EAP).
  • Medical advice line.
Full Job Description
The Antenna Test Infrastructure team develops the technology, systems, and chambers that validate LEO hardware across both Satellite and Customer Terminal programs. We design and build the mechanical infrastructure - test fixtures, handling tools, and RF chambers - that enable high-fidelity antenna characterization at production scale.

In this role, you will serve as the senior mechanical engineering lead for tooling and chamber design within the team. You will own the full design lifecycle of test fixtures, assembly tooling, and RF chamber mechanical systems - from concept development and trade studies through detailed design, fabrication, and commissioning. You will drive GD&T rigor, lead design reviews, and ensure that every fixture and chamber meets demanding RF, thermal, and dimensional requirements. This is a hands-on technical leadership role: you will set the mechanical design standard for the team while project-managing complex builds across internal manufacturing partners and external vendors.

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

- Lead the mechanical design of RF OTA test chambers, including structural enclosures, positioner mounts, DUT fixturing, cable routing, and access panel integration, ensuring designs meet RF performance, thermal stability, and dimensional accuracy requirements.

- Design and detail test fixtures, assembly tooling, and ergonomic handling aids for Satellite and Customer Terminal components and products across all stages of integration and test.

- Apply rigorous GD&T and perform tolerance stackup analyses to guarantee fit, function, and repeatability across multi-part fixture assemblies and chamber mechanical interfaces.

- Perform structural and thermal FEA to validate fixture and chamber designs prior to fabrication, iterating on geometry, material selection, and load paths to meet performance and safety margins.

- Create and release production-quality 2D drawings, 3D models, and BOMs in NX/Teamcenter; own document control processes and maintain configuration management for all tooling and chamber hardware.

- Lead part design reviews and peer reviews, establishing and enforcing mechanical design standards across the team.

- Develop and execute CMM inspection plans and first-article inspection (FAI) reports; operate or direct the operation of CMMs, laser trackers, and optical measurement systems to verify critical dimensions, alignments, and fixture repeatability.

- Define metrology strategies for chamber alignment verification, positioner accuracy characterization, and ongoing calibration of mechanical test infrastructure.

- Project-manage RF chamber design and build efforts end-to-end: scope definition, requirements capture, budgeting, scheduling, vendor selection, design review gates, and commissioning.

- Collaborate with RF, thermal, and systems engineering teams to translate test requirements into mechanical specifications and ensure chamber and fixture designs do not compromise electromagnetic or thermal performance.

- Coordinate with internal machine shops and external fabrication vendors on manufacturability, material procurement, and build schedules for custom capital equipment.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's degree or above in Mechanical Engineering

- 7+ years of experience in mechanical design of tooling, fixtures, and/or test equipment in a precision engineering or aerospace environment.

- Experience in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and PLM systems (Teamcenter preferred) for part modeling, complex assemblies, and drawing creation.

- Experience with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stackup analysis methods.

- Experience performing structural and/or thermal FEA to validate mechanical designs.

- Experience with CMM programming and operation, first-article inspection processes, and dimensional metrology.

- Experience with project-managing mechanical design efforts including budgeting, scheduling, and vendor coordination.

- Experience leading design reviews and mentoring junior mechanical engineers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent

- Experience designing mechanical systems for RF test chambers (anechoic, compact-range, or near-field) or antenna measurement facilities.

- Familiarity with the mechanical constraints imposed by RF environments - material selection for low reflectivity, EMI shielding, absorber mounting, and cable/connector routing.

- Experience with laser tracker operation, photogrammetry, or large-volume metrology for chamber and positioner alignment.

- Knowledge of thermal chamber mechanical design, including insulation, seal design, and thermal cycling considerations.

- Track record of managing large-scale capital equipment builds ($500K+) from concept through factory acceptance testing.

- Experience with Lean manufacturing principles and design-for-manufacturability in a production test environment.

- Proficiency in scripting or analysis tools (Python, MATLAB) for metrology data processing or parametric design studies.

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

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
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