Test Engineering Manager, Spacecraft Mechanical, Amazon Leo - Solar/Mechanism

Overview

Test Engineering Manager, Spacecraft Mechanical, Amazon Leo - Solar/Mechanism. Job ID: | Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC. Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network with a mission to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond existing networks.

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.

The role leads the Mechanical Test Development team, designing advanced test infrastructure for satellite mechanical systems. This hands-on leadership role requires deep technical expertise in mechatronics, automation, and space flight hardware testing, focusing on solar arrays, mechanisms, and structural components. The ideal candidate will develop innovative test approaches, rapidly generate reliable data, and collaborate across cross-functional teams to support hardware development and qualification processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a test development engineering team for satellite hardware, driving technical strategy and innovation in test methodologies for Solar Arrays, Mechanisms, and Structural Systems.
• Oversee comprehensive test planning, design, and execution, ensuring rigorous characterization and validation of spaceflight hardware through advanced testing techniques and cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding engineers in developing best practices for mechanical testing, design optimization, and performance assessment of satellite subsystems.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and resource allocations while maintaining compliance with aerospace standards and delivering cost-effective, high-reliability solutions.
• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and root cause investigations to continuously improve testing processes, hardware performance, and overall mission readiness for satellite constellation development.
• Develop a strong understanding of flight hardware and test systems; contribute to hiring, mentoring, and career growth of engineers on the team.

Day-to-Day and Team Context

As an Amazon Leo Test Development Engineering Manager, lead your team to develop automated test equipment used to validate satellite hardware designs from initial prototypes through functional testing and pilot production. Drive collaboration with design, analysis, and manufacturing teams to specify test equipment requirements, develop test plans, and execute test campaigns to support development and production test initiatives. The role operates in a fast-paced development environment.

This team is organized within the satellite mechanical design group to accelerate design iteration and ensure on-time delivery of a stable, high-quality product. Expect complex problems and novel technical challenges that push you to develop new skills, with a focus on improving product performance, quality, and cost.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of new hardware products development experience
• Experience with the project management of technical projects
• 3+ years of engineering team management experience
• Bachelor’s degree or above in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, physics or equivalent, or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 1+ years of professional or military experience
• 5+ years of experience developing test infrastructure to meet the needs of testing spacecraft or similarly complex systems
• 5+ years of experience with automating hardware testing or developing controls software using Python, LabVIEW, Test Stand, or similar

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Power Engineering, or a related field
• Knowledge of AWS or cloud technologies
• Experience developing products for large volume production
• Experience managing teams of 8+ engineers
• Experience with integration and testing of satellite hardware
• Experience in development of test plans and protocols related to established Space Hardware test processes (GEVS / SMC-S-016 / MIL-STD-810)
• Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation

Equal Opportunity: Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. If you have a disability and need accommodations during the application and hiring process, please visit amazon.jobs content/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Benefits and compensation: The base salary range for this position is listed below. The package may include sign-on payments and RSUs. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription), life insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about benefits at amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

Location and Compensation: USA, WA, Redmond - 151,000.00 - 204,300.00 USD annually.