System Development Engineer, Amazon Leo Optical ISL

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.

Design, develop, and deploy advanced control systems for complex, multi-disciplinary engineering applications in a large-scale production environment. This role spans system engineering, controls, and embedded development, enabling the design, integration, testing, and evaluation of systems that combine software, FPGA/firmware, and hardware electronics.

You will work across the full development lifecycle—from concept and algorithm design through implementation, validation, and deployment—building robust and scalable solutions. The role also involves developing test infrastructure, automating validation workflows, and supporting continuous improvement of system performance through data-driven analysis.

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
1. Assist in implementing and testing embedded software and control algorithms in real-time systems
2. Develop and maintain software interfaces (APIs) to enable communication between control algorithms and embedded platforms
3. Contribute to system integration efforts across software, firmware, and hardware components
4. Support verification and validation activities, including unit testing, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
5. Support the design, development, and integration of control systems for multi-disciplinary platforms involving software, FPGA/firmware, and hardware electronics
6. Analyze test data and system telemetry to evaluate performance and identify issues
7. Assist in debugging and root-cause analysis of system-level issues across software and hardware
8. Contribute to automation of test and validation workflows to improve efficiency and repeatability
9. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (software, controls, hardware) to support system development and deployment

Basic Qualifications

- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with Linux/Unix

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in hardware lab equipment such as digital scopes, logic analyzers, and soldering tools
- Experience working on multi-team, cross-disciplinary projects
- Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and auto-code generation tools
- Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time software development
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing platforms (e.g., Speedgoat, dSPACE)
- Basic understanding of control systems, signal processing, or mechatronics
- Experience with scripting or programming in Python, C/C++, or similar languages
- Exposure to FPGA/firmware development or HDL is a plus
- Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or dashboards such as Grafana)

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 hiri