Communication Systems Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies, Amazon Leo will serve people and organizations operating in locations 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.
We are looking for a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the development, production, and on-orbit commissioning of optical communication systems that enable high-speed inter-satellite links across Leo's satellite constellation. This is a high-impact role where your work will directly influence how quickly and reliably we establish a global mesh network in space.
As a Senior Technical Program Manager for Optical Communication Systems, you will own the end-to-end technical program strategy for the systems that enable laser-based inter-satellite communication, from architecture and design through qualification testing, high-rate production, and on-orbit operations.
You will partner with cross-functional engineering teams across optical engineering, photonics, embedded software, RF/optical systems, test engineering, mission operations, supply chain, quality/reliability and manufacturing to ensure optical communication hardware meets the demanding requirements of space while scaling production for a constellation of thousands of satellites.
This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, optical hardware development, integration and test, on-orbit commissioning, and manufacturing scale-up. Success requires deep technical judgment in optical/photonic systems, strong program leadership, and the ability to drive alignment across complex engineering organizations.
Key job responsibilities
Lead Complex Optical Communication Programs End-to-End: Own the technical program strategy for optical inter-satellite link (OISL) systems and subsystems - from architecture and design through qualification testing, high-rate production, and on-orbit commissioning. Drive integrated program plans across parallel subsystem builds, coordinating convergence on system-level integration milestones. Define verification and validation strategies that demonstrate flight readiness.
Drive Cross-Functional Execution & Technical Decisions: Serve as the central program leader across optical engineering, photonics, embedded software, RF/optical systems, integration and test, reliability, mission operations, and manufacturing. Drive trade studies balancing optical performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule across satellite optical payloads.
Own Planning, Risk, and Integration Campaigns: Develop program plans tracking milestones across design reviews, qualification, production readiness, and on-orbit commissioning. Identify risks early, build mitigation strategies including supply chain resilience, and coordinate verification campaigns ensuring hardware performs reliably over mission lifetime.
Scale Hardware into High-Rate Production & On-Orbit Operations: Transition optical systems from prototypes into high-volume manufacturing for large constellations. Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations to drive production readiness, test automation, yield improvement, and on-orbit reliability. Own release readiness through production and deployment milestones.
A day in the life
Mission Impact: Your work will help bring reliable broadband connectivity to communities around the world by enabling the high-bandwidth optical backbone that connects Amazon's satellite constellation into a global mesh network.
Technical Challenge: Help develop optical inter-satellite link systems for one of the largest satellite constellations ever built, solving unprecedented challenges in precision optical alignment, high-rate production of photonic systems, and on-orbit laser communication at scale.
Team: Work alongside engineers from leading aerospace, photonics, and technology organizations, building a new generation of space-based optical communication infrastructure.
Growth: You'll have direct visibility with senior leadership and opportunities to expand your impact across Leo's optical communication and satellite development programs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of technical product or program management experience
- 5+ years of leading cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and field execution through launch readiness and go-live phases experience, or experience with complex automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, and systems and high-speed manufacturing
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of project management disciplines including scope, schedule, budget, quality, along with risk and critical path management experience
- Experience managing projects across cross functional teams, building sustainable processes and coordinating release schedules
- Experience defining KPI's/SLA's used to drive multi-million dollar businesses and reporting to senior leadership
- Experience contributing to engineering discussions around technology decisions and strategy related to a product
- Experience in Space Vehicle/Satellite Operations, Space Communications or related industry
- Experience leading large-scale, technical or engineering programs with a proven record of thought leadership, business case development, realizing customer benefits, and successful program completion
- Experience managing teams, or experience completing complex tasks quickly with little to no guidance and react with appropriate urgency to situations that require a quick turnaround
- Experience influencing senior leaders/stakeholders
- Experience with optical inter-satellite link (OISL) systems, free-space optical communication, or laser communication terminals, including optical alignment, pointing acquisition and tracking (PAT) systems, or precision electro-optical test equipment
- Experience transitioning optical/photonic hardware from development through qualification to high-rate production, including manufacturing test strategies, test automation, yield improvement, and production readiness assessment for optical/photonic assemblies
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
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 - 148,700.00 - 201,200.00 USD annually