Senior Mechanical Engineer, Antenna Test & Automation, Leo Antenna Test Infrastructure - Redmond | Amazon Job

Job Description

Amazon LEO is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). 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.

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.

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.

USA, WA, Redmond - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually