Mechanical Engineer, Satellite Hardware

About the role

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network delivering fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. The Leo Mechanical Engineering organization is seeking early‑career mechanical engineers to design, build, test, and deliver hardware for a large‑scale satellite constellation. Engineers own hardware across the spacecraft lifecycle—from concept and architecture through detailed design, analysis, prototyping, qualification, manufacturing, and flight—and collaborate with electrical, thermal, RF, reliability, manufacturing, software, and operations teams.

Key responsibilities

• Design mechanical hardware, assemblies, fixtures, or test equipment using engineering fundamentals and sound design practices.
• Create and release 3D models, drawings, specifications, and other engineering documentation.
• Perform engineering analysis and calculations to support design decisions and verify performance.
• Work directly with technicians, machinists, manufacturing engineers, suppliers, and other partners to build and evaluate hardware.
• Develop and execute engineering tests to characterize hardware, validate designs, and investigate failures.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate technical decisions, risks, and trade‑offs to multidisciplinary teams.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles to improve hardware manufacturability, reliability, cost, and production scalability.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues using data, testing, and first‑principles engineering.
• Support hardware from early prototype development through qualification, production, and flight.
• Develop increasing technical ownership of hardware and engineering decisions as experience grows.

A day in the life

There is no single typical day. You might begin by reviewing test data from hardware tested overnight, then update a CAD model based on what you learned. Later, you could work alongside a technician assembling a prototype, perform a hand calculation or finite element analysis to evaluate a design change, or meet with electrical and thermal engineers to resolve competing packaging requirements. The afternoon might involve lab troubleshooting, preparing for a design review, collaborating with a supplier on a manufacturing issue, or developing a fixture to test a new design. Engineers move comfortably between analysis, design, hardware, and data to make sound engineering decisions and see them through to a successful product.

About the team

The Leo Mechanical Engineering organization designs, develops, tests, and industrializes the hardware that enables the satellite constellation. Teams span spacecraft structures and integration, avionics packaging, harnessing, solar arrays, mechanisms, test development, and manufacturing process development. Engineers work across disciplines and throughout the full product lifecycle, from early concepts and prototypes through qualification, production, launch, and on‑orbit operation, combining deep technical expertise with rapid iteration and strong hardware ownership.

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in engineering.
• Experience with 3D CAD.
• Experience in hardware design.
• Experience communicating technical concepts and processes using clear, simple language and visuals.

Preferred qualifications

• Hands‑on experience building mechanical systems through internships, laboratory work, Formula SAE, rocketry, robotics, CubeSat, machining, personal projects, or similar activities.
• Experience with CAD and Product Lifecycle Management tools such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mechanical design best practices.
• Knowledge of structural mechanics, dynamics, thermal environments, materials, mechanisms, electronics packaging, or manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing or executing engineering tests and interpreting test data.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or other engineering analysis and automation tools.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles.
• Demonstrated ability to learn unfamiliar technical subjects, work through ambiguous problems, and use first‑principles reasoning to develop practical engineering solutions.

Export control requirement

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Compensation

Base salary range: $96,600 – $160,000 USD annually. The total package includes sign‑on payments, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other components determined by experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Basic Life & AD&D insurance with optional supplemental life plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health support
• Medical Advice Line
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Location

Redmond, Washington, USA.