Sr. Broadband Phased Array Antenna Architect, Payload Architecture Team

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation initiative designed to bring fast, affordable broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. We are building a next-generation satellite system from the ground up — designing everything from the spacecraft and payload to the ground infrastructure and customer terminals. This is a rare opportunity to join a team that is shaping the future of global connectivity at scale.

We are looking for a Broadband Phased Array Architect to join the Payload Architecture team in San Diego. You will be a key technical contributor to the architecture of our broadband satellite payload — a Ka-band multi-beam phased array system that delivers high-throughput connectivity to proprietary customer terminals on the ground. You will work alongside experienced architects and engineers, helping shape the broadband phased array architecture as it evolves through current and future satellite generations.

This role uniquely spans both RF and digital domains. You will need depth in digital beamforming architectures including FPGA and ASIC platforms, high-speed serial interconnects, beamforming algorithm implementation, and capacity mode management. You will also need Ka-band RF front-end experience and understanding of multi-beam satellite link design.

You will define phased array requirements and work with the verification team to validate them through test. You will collaborate with systems, HW design, silicon, antenna, modem, calibration, thermal, power, mechanical, reliability, communication systems, regulatory, and verification teams to ensure architecture and requirements are achievable.

Beyond the current payload, you will evaluate emerging technologies and contribute to the architecture roadmap for future satellite generations — including new digital beamforming approaches, advanced interconnects, and next-generation semiconductor processes. This is a hands-on role — you will be in the lab, in the data, and on call when satellites are live. If you have experience with multi-beam satellite payloads or Ka-band phased arrays, we want to hear from you.

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

● Translate high-level throughput and coverage requirements into broadband payload requirements — accounting for thermal, power, mechanical, reliability, and mass constraints

● Propose and own the broadband phased array architecture spanning the full signal chain from Ka-band antenna element through RF front-end through digital beamforming backbone to modem interface

• ● Work with systems, HW design, antenna, silicon, and calibration teams to realize the architecture
• ● Contribute to customer link performance — working with systems and customer terminal teams to meet end-to-end link requirements
• ● Define phased array requirements that flow from system-level needs down to subsystem and component specifications
• ● Work with the verification team to develop test plans that validate those requirements
• ● Define signal integrity requirements for high-speed serial links based on SerDes technology selection, and review analysis performed by the SI team
• ● Support Ka-band RF front-end architecture trade studies across multiple semiconductor process technologies
• ● Drive capacity mode management architecture — how the payload scales beams and reconfigures resources based on demand
• ● Evaluate emerging technologies to inform the next generation architecture roadmap
• ● Support production and on-orbit debug — this role is hands-on and on-call

A day in the life

• You split your time between the current program and next generation. On any given day you might translate throughput requirements into payload requirements, review beamforming simulations, define signal integrity requirements for serial links, run capacity mode trade studies, or refine requirements based on verification testability. You contribute to customer link analysis and work across HW design, antenna, silicon, and calibration teams to realize the architecture. Some weeks you evaluate new digital beamforming approaches and define the architecture roadmap for future satellites. Other days you are in the lab checking results or supporting production debug.

About the team

The Payload Architecture team is part of the Antenna organization at Amazon Leo. We are a small group of senior architects responsible for the phased array architecture across Amazon Leo’s satellite programs. We define the architecture, drive requirements, run trade studies, and make sure everything works from prototype through orbit. Our scope extends to customer link performance — working with systems and customer terminal teams to close end-to-end link budgets.

We work closely with every engineering team on the payload and pride ourselves on being hands-on problem solvers. We are based in San Diego.

• Basic Qualifications
• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Communications Engineering, or experience with modern ASIC/FPGA design and verification tools
• Experience in developing link and system level simulators using MATLAB, Python, or C++
• Experience with RF measurement equipment, including: power meters, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network analyzers, oscilloscopes
• Experience in wireless system design and architecture, system integration, and RF system analysis
• Experience with analog, digital, and high-speed circuit design
• 7+ years of experience in Ka-band RF system design, multi-beam satellite payload architecture, or digital phased array design relying on high speed serdes interconnects

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Space Vehicle/Satellite Operations, Space Communications or related industry
• PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics
• Experience participating in or leading technical collaborations and creating alignment across diverse groups (e.g., hardware engineering, software engineering, program management)
• Experience with multi-beam satellite payload capacity mode management or resource allocation
• Experience with Ka-band or mm-wave RF front-end design across multiple semiconductor process technologies
• Familiarity with phased array calibration, synchronization and over-the-air test methodology
• Equal Opportunity
• 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, San Diego - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually