Sr. Propulsion Test Engineer, Propulsion Production Engineering, Amazon Leo

Description

Amazon Leo is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Amazon Leo will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.

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 Amazon Leo Propulsion Production Team is seeking a Test Engineer to support the development and continued optimization of propulsion flight hardware production test capabilities to support this constellation. The team is responsible for the design, build, maintenance, and optimization of electric propulsion production testing of all propulsion subsystems, including the Hall-Effect thruster, cathode, propellant feed system, avionics, propellant storage, and integrated propulsion system.

You will develop and design new test capabilities as well as improve existing test frameworks and processes in order to ensure the needed test coverage is achieved at increasing production rates. This will include hardware automation and test software optimization of existing systems, buildup of additional systems for parallel testing, and performing and utilizing development testing to inform methods of accelerating production testing and improving screening. You will also contribute to finding solutions to challenging problems by investigating root causes for hardware failures as well as trading process methodologies, schedule constraints, and test coverage in order to enable increased production rates to be obtained.

Key job responsibilities
- Define and implement solutions to optimize and automate electric propulsion system testing
- Develop test automation, data acquisition, and data analysis hardware and software to improve test efficiency and cycle times
- Perform root cause investigations to understand hardware and test failures and disposition flight hardware non-conformances
- Work with hardware subsystem owners to ensure test coverage is maintained across multiple development and flight hardware design update cycles
- Perform development testing and data analysis to inform methods of accelerating existing testing without reducing hardware screening capabilities
Work with other engineers to refine test requirements and the methodologies to test against those requirements
- Train operators in the execution of developed testing and processes

A day in the life
You'll design automated test solutions for electric propulsion hardware, optimize test processes to increase production rates, ensure hardware meets qualification and acceptance requirements for flight, and investigate complex hardware and software issues. You'll work hands-on with Hall-Effect thrusters, propellant feed systems, and integrated propulsion assemblies while collaborating with design engineers, quality teams, and production staff. Success requires high motivation, attention to detail, and the highest standards of execution. Your work will directly enable production of thousands of satellites bringing connectivity to underserved communities worldwide.

About the team
The Amazon Leo Propulsion Production Team is responsible for the manufacturing, assembly, and acceptance testing of electric propulsion flight hardware for all propulsion subsystems, including Hall-Effect thrusters, cathodes, propellant feed systems, avionics, propellant storage, and integrated propulsion systems. We work closely with the Amazon Leo Propulsion Development Team to enable rapid process feedback and continuous improvement. This close collaboration between production and development teams ensures we can quickly iterate on manufacturing processes, test methodologies, and production capabilities to meet the demands of building a satellite constellation.

Basic Qualifications

- Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent
- 5 years of Test Engineering experience
- 3 years experience in a production environment

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent
- Proficiency with NI/Python/MATLAB for analysis & data visualization
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- - High pressure systems
- - Vacuum systems
- - Plasma systems

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.