Structural Analysis Manager, Leo Structural Analysis Team

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.

This leader is responsible for the structural integrity of the entire satellite - across generations - including primary structures, secondary structures, and attached payload, ensuring end-to-end verification from component through system level. They will mentor engineers, set technical direction, follow and continuously improve established methods, tools, and processes across the team.

This Structural Analysis Manager must have a strong background in spacecraft structural development and must be able to understand the balance between engineering judgment versus analysis rigor and when each is appropriate.

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

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of structural analysis engineers; manage hiring, performance, and career growth

Define and own the structural analysis strategy for primary structures, including analytical methods, system-level FEM modeling approaches, load path definition, and verification methodologies

Own structural integrity of the complete satellite (primary structures, secondary structures, and attached payload), ensuring cohesive analysis coverage across all structural elements

Drive technical excellence across the team by establishing best practices for analysis rigor, model fidelity, and documentation standards

Perform and/or review structural analysis tasks and stress reports substantiating engineering drawings and documents

Support engineering data reviews and compliance verification for spacecraft dispenser primary structures; interface with multiple launch vehicle providers to deliver required verification artifacts (e.g., load comparisons, interface load verification, margin of safety reports)

Own schedule, budget, and technical status for the structures analysis scope; communicate effectively to leadership

Support test execution, review results, and ensure verification of structural requirements is complete and well-documented

Lead production and operations support activities, serving as a subject matter expert (SME) working with MRB/liaison partner organizations on complex non-conformance dispositions that fall outside standard repair documentation

• Drive configuration development and trade studies with clear decision frameworks
• Represent the team in internal/external design reviews, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), program gates / design reviews (CD/PDR/CDR/QR/FRR)
• Coordinate cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, test, ground support equipment and systems engineering to ensure structural integrity across the program
• Identify and remove technical and organizational blockers for the team; manage and escalate risks proactively

A day in the life

• This Structural Analysis Manager will be the technical owner of spacecraft structures analysis and the system-level FEM model, including all interface coordination across adjacent subsystems. You will balance hands-on technical work with people leadership - setting the bar for model fidelity, mentoring engineers on when simplified vs high fidelity methods are appropriate, and ensuring the team delivers high-quality, on-time analysis packages. You will represent Structural Integrity and Analysis in cross-functional forums and drive alignment on loads, interfaces, and verification approaches.

About the team

The Structural Analysis team is responsible for Structural Integrity of not only the spacecraft but all supporting flight and ground support hardware across the program, inside and outside of the Mechanical Engineering group.

• Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent field
• - 8+ years of experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures, including at least 2 years in a technical leadership or people management role

• Experience in most of the following areas:
• Vehicle load path definition, development of free-body diagrams, and strength analysis (both metallic and composite structures)
• Classical aerospace analytical sizing methods
• Finite element analysis codes (Nastran, Ansys, or Abaqus), including FEM modeling techniques such as boundary conditions, element types, structural idealization, bolted connections, contact, and verification methods
• Analysis of stability-critical structures
• Bolted joint calculations: bolt preload, joint stiffness, shear-tension interaction, bearing-bypass
• Building block testing of structures—from coupon through element, sub-component, and full-scale levels—including test-analysis correlation and model validation against test data
• Documentation of analyses through formal structural analysis reports (stress memos, substantiation reports, verification closure documents)
• Demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and retain strong engineering talent
• Experience establishing analysis processes, standards, and documentation practices for a team

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in aerospace structural analysis with 4+ years managing analysis teams
• Experience with composite and metallic damage tolerance methods (e.g., barely visible impact damage (BVID), fatigue, crack growth, residual strength, no-growth approaches)
• Experience with dynamic structural analyses, testing and correlation, including random vibration, sine sweep/burst, mechanical shock, and acoustic environments
• Knowledge of SMC-S-016 (Test Requirements for Launch, Upper-Stage, and Space Vehicles) or equivalent military/commercial test standards—specifically the philosophy and application of qualification and acceptance test levels, durations, and margins used to demonstrate design adequacy and screen for workmanship defects in flight hardware
• CAD experience – Siemens NX (or equivalent)
• Track record of delivering structural analysis packages on aggressive schedules in a high-rate production environment
• Experience with rapid iteration and design-for-manufacturing considerations in structural analysis
• 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.
• 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 - 175,100.00 - 236,900.00 USD annually