Lab Aide Jobs in Simi Valley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Amazon Leo is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Within the Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) organization, you will directly contribute to the development and production of high-bandwidth free-space optical communication systems that connect satellites in orbit.
We are seeking a Development Lab Test Engineer to join our Prototyping and Integration (PI) Team. In this role, you will be the team leader responsible for the execution of environmental and reliability test campaigns for OISL aerospace hardware. You will operate autonomously to drive test campaigns from initiation through closure-owning test execution across thermal, thermal vacuum (TVac), dynamics (vibration and shock), HALT/HASS, and other reliability testing disciplines. You will serve as the subject matter expert on environmental test operations, mentor test technicians, and manage the execution of multiple concurrent test campaigns to ensure hardware is qualified to the highest standards and delivered on schedule.
Key job responsibilities
- Operate as the technical authority on environmental test execution, ensuring all tests are conducted in compliance with test plans, industry standards, and internal work instructions.
- Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent test campaigns, coordinating resources, schedules, and test equipment to maintain program velocity.
- Operate environmental test equipment including thermal chambers, vacuum chambers, vibration tables, and shock tables; oversee test console operations and data acquisition.
- Mentor and lead a team of test technicians, providing technical guidance, training, and oversight to ensure consistent execution quality across all test operations.
- Review test plans from design and systems engineering teams; when needed, translate requirements into detailed execution procedures and work instructions for technicians.
- Generate test reports and capture detailed run notes to aide in post-test data processing.
- Drive continuous improvement of environmental test processes to maximize throughput and enable efficient transition from development testing to production qualification.
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
You will work hands-on in the lab alongside your technician team-setting up thermal chambers, configuring vibration controllers, reviewing instrumentation, and ensuring every test runs cleanly from start to finish. Between active test executions, you are reviewing incoming test plans, writing procedures, analyzing data from completed campaigns, and coordinating priorities across multiple programs competing for lab resources. When anomalies arise, you lead the investigation. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable at the test console and in a technical review, and brings the kind of operational discipline that gives engineering teams confidence their hardware has been rigorously qualified.
About the team
The Prototyping and Integration Team accelerates hardware development through rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and integration of novel Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and systems for the Optical Intersatellite Link organization. Our service areas span Hardware Fabrication, Electrical Integration, Electromechanical Hardware Development, DVT and Qualification Testing, and Quality Assurance. Our learnings are directly applied to scale aerospace manufacturing processes and enable risk reduction through comprehensive testing. We seek candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Success requires high motivation, attention to detail, and the highest standards of execution.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent field
- 4+ years of hardware development, test lab, space/aerospace maintenance or hands-on engineering environment experience
- Experience operating environmental test equipment including thermal chambers, vacuum chambers, vibration systems, and associated data acquisition systems.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent test campaigns, coordinating resources and schedules in a lab environment.
- Experience analyzing post-test data, writing test reports, and performing root cause analysis on test failures.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading technical support teams
- Experience in written and verbal communication skills to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership
- Familiarity with aerospace test standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1540, SMC-S-016, or equivalent ) and workmanship requirements.
- Experience with test instrumentation installation (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gauges, force sensors).
- Experience with vibration control software and data acquisition systems (M+P, Vibration Research, Kistler, or equivalent).
- Experience commissioning, calibrating, and troubleshooting environmental test equipment.
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.
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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 - 122,600.00 - 170,000.00 USD annually