Manager, RF Hardware, Project Kuiper

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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.

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As the lead, you will own the successful delivery of the satellite RF transceiver hardware into the overall Kuiper program. Consequently, you will work with senior management and program management to plan, schedule, and execute delivery of various subsystems. This position requires a technical understanding of RF/microwave circuitry and communication systems theory. Must be able to work effectively cross-functionally with multiple disciplines.

In this role you will:

• Lead a team of RF engineers to develop, qualify, and produce millimeter-wave high performance space flight hardware
  
• Drive hardware designs forward and ensure successful release
  
• Own delivery of subsystems to various internal customers and sustain the delivered hardware
  
• Manage inter-dependencies with other teams to ensure tight alignment for successful subsystem deliveries.
  
• Work with test team to ensure automation and test execution is ready and available for use.
  
• Identify issues and gaps and drive them to closure.
  
• Provide clear and concise reporting to upper management.
  
• Organize, plan, and execute hardware bring-up, DVT, qualification, and reliability campaigns.
  
• Lead hardware and software integration efforts.
  
• Derive RF HW specifications for the RF system and RF blocks
  
• Evaluate systems and directs design modifications.
  
• Be responsible for generating, reviewing and implementing engineering change orders.
  
• Troubleshoot and repairs circuits and fixtures.
  
• Establish and maintain support schedules and response protocols for RF transceiver systems, ensuring continuous technical coverage during manufacturing, satellite testing, and on-orbit operations.
  

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

• Will work cross-functionally on collaboration to fluently engage with diverse engineering disciplines, effectively advocate for RF system requirements, and ensure alignment for overall system success.
  
• Lead the team in the design of high performance Ka-Band, Q-Band, and V-band frequency converters, LNAs and SSPAs.
  
• Develop Microwave and millimeter wave RF hardware requirements and end to and system test plans.
  
• Works closely with the cross-functional organizations to define DVT, Qualification, reliability and production test requirements
  
• Develop, designs, and test of high-power RF/microwave components, subsystems and systems.
  
• Derive RF HW specifications for the RF system and RF blocks/circuits
  
• Performs root cause analysis on products, technical problems, processes and documentation.
  
• Assess feasibility of various designs in support of architectural definition
  
• Participate in subsystem design and prototyping, schematic capture, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, and signal characterization
  
• Evaluate and characterize new technology, prototypes and RF components
  
• Support manufacturing engineers on production testing of RF avionics components and systems
  
• Coordinate schedule and cost forecasting with the project Manager and Program Manager.
  
• Direct design engineering personnel in the design and development.
  
• Evaluate systems and directs design modifications.
  
• Responsible for generating, reviewing and implementing engineering change orders.
  
• Troubleshoots and repairs circuits and fixtures.
  

This position is in Redmond, WA or San Diego, CA. Some travel, both domestic and international, will be required. (Up to 30%.)

This position requires ability to lift up to 20 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.

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• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, or related discipline, or 7+ years of equivalent relevant experience
  
• 3+ years of managing direct reports
  
• Experience coordinating amongst diverse disciplines (software, production, reliability) to drive full-lifecycle system development
  
• Experience with RF/ microwave design expertise in Power, Low Noise and Driver Amplifier design for commercial or military communications receivers, transmitters and sub-systems up to V-band.
  
• Experience with analog, digital and mixed mode circuit design and layout.
  
• Ability to plan, direct, and manage project work.
  
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  
• Excellent math aptitude, written and communication skills.
  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  

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• Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering and 10 years of industry experience in RF/microwave circuits or communication theory
  
• Management experience of a team of RF/microwave engineers
  
• Experience performing analysis and simulation of communication systems including link budgets
  
• Thorough understanding of RF passive and active components and circuitry
  
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, forward error correcting codes (FEC), single and multi-carrier techniques, modulation types such as PSK, APSK, QAM, OFDM
  
• Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems
  
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR Microwave Office
  
• Experience with the design and integration of RF systems consisting of radio transmitters and receivers, LNAs, PAs, couplers, filters, etc.
  
• Experience with RF test equipment, such as spectrum analyzers and network analyzers
  
• Experience mentoring engineers in engineering best-practices and domain-specific technical principles
  
• Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences
  
• Ability to lead projects across departments, create and maintain project schedules, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget
  
• Technical leadership skills and communication skills, ability to create clarity across technical stakeholder and customer teams
  
• Working knowledge of space environments and the process to space qualify a communication flight unit.
  
• Familiarity with hybrid microelectronics for space applications and MIL-PRF-38534
  

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.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $157,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $272,400/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.