Test Engineering Manager, Spacecraft Mechanical, Kuiper - Solar/mechanism

Project Kuiper Test Engineering Manager

Project Kuiper is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite broadband network. Its mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet to customers and communities around the world. Project Kuiper seeks an experienced Test Engineering Manager to lead our Mechanical Test Development team, designing advanced test infrastructure for satellite mechanical systems. This hands-on leadership role requires a self-starter with deep technical expertise in mechatronics, automation, and space flight hardware testing, focusing on developing bespoke solutions for solar arrays, mechanisms, and structural components. The ideal candidate will push to develop innovative test approaches, rapidly generate reliable data, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams to support comprehensive hardware development and qualification processes.

Key job responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a test development engineering team for satellite hardware, driving technical strategy and innovation in test methodologies for Solar Arrays, Mechanisms, and Structural Systems.
• Oversee comprehensive test planning, design, and execution, ensuring rigorous characterization and validation of spaceflight hardware through advanced testing techniques and cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding engineers in developing best practices for mechanical testing, design optimization, and performance assessment of satellite subsystems.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and resource allocations while maintaining compliance with aerospace standards and delivering cost-effective, high-reliability solutions.
• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and root cause investigations to continuously improve testing processes, hardware performance, and overall mission readiness for satellite constellation development.
• Lead by example by developing a strong understanding of the flight hardware and its test systems as well as contribute to hiring, mentoring, and career growth of the engineers on your team.

A day in the life:

As a Project Kuiper Test Development Engineering Manager, you will lead your team to develop automated test equipment used to validate satellite hardware designs from initial prototypes, through functional testing, and into pilot production. You will drive collaboration with design, analysis, and manufacturing teams to specify test equipment requirements, develop test plans, and execute test campaigns to support development and production test initiatives. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and comfortable operating in a fast-paced development environment.

About the team:

This team is organized within the satellite mechanical design team to accelerate the design iteration process and ensure on-time delivery of the most stable and successful product possible. The tasks and daily focus change rapidly, and you will often take on new and exciting responsibilities as required to ensure project success. Expect to be deployed to complex problems and novel technical challenges that push you to develop new skills. You'll be constantly looking for ways to improve your product's performance, quality, and cost.