Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network delivering fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks.
Behind every satellite in our constellation is a payload-the communication system that makes connectivity possible. Before a single satellite reaches orbit, its payload software must be validated, stressed, and proven through rigorous automated testing.
We are hiring a Software Development Engineer to build the automation that validates payload software at scale.
You will work at the intersection of satellite communication systems and software engineering, developing frameworks that test how payload software manages signal routing, beam forming, frequency coordination, and network handoffs. This is not black-box button-pushing—you will develop a deep understanding of how payload software operates, then translate that understanding into automated test systems that catch defects before they reach orbit.
Our team builds the regression-testing automation that runs continuously as payload software evolves. Every code change, every configuration update, every firmware revision passes through the systems you build. Your work directly gates satellite production and launch readiness.
What Makes This Role Different
You will not just write test scripts. You will understand what the payload software does—how it manages links, allocates capacity, handles interference, and recovers from faults—and use that understanding to build automation that validates behavior across thousands of scenarios no human could execute manually. You will own the feedback loop between payload development and production readiness.
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
A day in the life
You start by reviewing overnight regression results from your automated framework—200+ test cases ran against the latest payload software build. Three failures need triage: one is a known environment issue, one reveals a real regression in beam handoff logic, and one exposes a gap in your test coverage. You file the regression, update your framework to cover the gap, then join a design review with the payload software team to understand an upcoming feature change and plan test coverage ahead of implementation. After lunch, you pair with a systems engineer to extend your hardware-in-the-loop test bench to support a new antenna configuration. You push your changes through CI, watch the pipeline go green, and update the team dashboard before end of day.
About the team
The STAR (System Test Automation and Regression) team for payload test automation builds the regression-testing backbone for payload software. We own the frameworks, pipelines, and infrastructure that validate every payload software release before it reaches a satellite. We operate at the boundary between software engineering and satellite systems—our engineers understand both domains and bridge them through automation.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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, CA, NORTHRIDGE - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually
USA, CA, San Diego - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually
USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 165,200.00 - 223,600.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Redmond - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually
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