Job Abstract

Project Kuiper is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.

Our team focuses on Modem and RF hardware designs primarily in the area of KaBand and V-Band frequencies. We are looking for a Senior Manager that can assist with delivering space qualified Modem and RF hardware systems.

Come work at Amazon!


Key job responsibilities
This is a highly technical role where the candidate should have a broad skill set that covers broadband modem design, broadband analog to digital and digital to analog hardware, high power KaBand transceivers, and the production of space qualified avionics for LEO satellites. In this position we are looking for a leader that can manage our Modem and RF hardware engineering organization, and both innovate Space qualified KaBand transceivers as well own engineering of current generation of space qualified Modem and RF systems. The ideal candidate will have experience qualifying RF and Modem avionics systems for LEO or MEO satellite systems. The candidate will be responsible for developing requirements for RF hardware and leading a team of RF and Modem hardware engineers to develop existing and new systems needed for broadband LEO communications.


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.


A day in the life
The Role:
- Build and Lead a team of RF microwave hardware engineers developing cutting edge modem hardware, KaBand and V-Band LNAs and KaBand RF power amplifiers.
- Develop Microwave and millimeter wave RF hardware requirements and end to and system test plans.
- Works closely with the production test team to define test fixture requirements that identifies any manufacturing circuit error.
- Develop, designs, and test of high-power RF/microwave components, subsystems and systems.
- Characterize and analyze full modem and radio performance
- Work closely with the production team and mechanical team to
- Performs reliability prediction calculations and reports.
- Derive RF HW specifications for the RF system and RF blocks
- Performs root cause analysis on products, technical problems, processes and documentation.
- Assess feasibility of various designs in support of architectural definition
- Deriving top-level specifications for RF links and RF and antenna subsystems
- Participate in subsystem design and prototyping, schematic capture, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, and signal characterization
- Develop RF/microwave circuits, components, MMICs, board and packages
- Evaluate and characterize prototypes and RF components
- Support manufacturing engineers on production testing of RF avionics components and systems
- Coordinates schedule and cost forecasting with the project Manager and Program Manager.
- Directs design engineering personnel in the design and development.
- Provides staffing requirements to the Engineering Manager.
- Evaluates systems and directs design modifications.
- Researches and specifies specified parts.
- Responsible for implementing preventive and corrective action.
- Responsible for generating, reviewing and implementing engineering change orders.
- Troubleshoots and repairs circuits and fixtures as required.
- Work closely with both software and hardware teams to support system bring-up and integration testing.

We are open to hiring candidates to work out of one of the following locations:

Redmond, WA, USA | San Diego, CA, USA

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or equivalent with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory and 10+ years of industry experience in leading the design of terrestrial or satellite Broadband RF communication subsystems.
- Experience with RF/ microwave design expertise in Power, Low Noise and Driver Amplifier design for commercial and military communications receivers, transmitters and sub-systems up to 50 GHz.
- 5+ years of management experience including 2+ years of managing managers
- Proficiency in RF / microwave modeling and simulation design tools (ADS, Microwave Office, HFSS or equivalent).
- Experience designing RF amplifier linearizers, using open and closed loop predistortion techniques.
- Experience with analog, digital and mixed mode circuit design and layout.

Masters or PhD degree in computer science, engineering or equivalent with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory and 15+ years of industry experience in leading the design of terrestrial or satellite Broadband RF communication subsystems.
Experience with design/test of linear and non-linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
Direct experience with high power (>20 watts) RF/microwave amplifier design in KaBand or V-Band for Satellites
Ability to lead projects across departments, create and maintain project schedules, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Thorough understanding of RF passive components (Splitters, Combiners, Circulators, Hybrid)
Knowledgeable in the performance differences between various satellite frequency bands (L, C, Ku, Ka, & X-band) and the effects on each signal type as it pertains to antenna gain and rain propagation.
Adhere to RF engineering industry standards and perform acceptance testing for new equipment and solutions.
Experience using one of the 3D EM simulation tools (CST, ADS, HFSS, AWR, FEKO, SEMCAD, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD)
Experience in Matlab, Python, C++ or equivalent tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems
Experience in the design of microwave OMT, waveguide isolators and waveguide diplexers
Familiar with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies
Experience with design of linear and non-linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
Python and/or LabVIEW programming experience for test automation
Deep understanding of Class A, AB, and Doherty RF amplifiers and power efficient KaBand and V-Band linear amplifier design used for Communication waveforms
Working knowledge of space environments and the process to space qualify a communication flight unit.
Technical leadership skills and communication skills, ability to create clarity across technical stakeholder and customer teams.
Excellent math aptitude, written and communication skills.


Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $187,500/year in our lowest geographic market up to $324,100/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.