Director, Embedded Software Engineering, Amazon Leo

The Director of Embedded Software Engineering will lead mission-critical embedded software development for Amazon Leos satellite bus systems ensuring our satellite constellation meets aggressive reliability security and performance targets from manufacturing through end-of-life operations.
This role owns all embedded software development and systems testing for satellite spacecraft systems including flight software real-time operating systems avionics and on-orbit software validation. You will architect the software that sits on the satellite manage the end-to-end software stack to bring up the satellite and lead comprehensive system testing to ensure spacecraft readiness for launch and on-orbit operations.
This is a highly technical leadership role requiring hands-on embedded software architecture expertise combined with the ability to build and scale high-performing engineering organizations. You will work in constrained hardware environments where computing resources (processing power memory power consumption) are severely limited. A satellite has 600 unique processors its like having its own compact data center in space requiring sophisticated embedded software solutions to coordinate this complexity.


Key job responsibilities
As a group leader you will anticipate bottlenecks provide escalation management anticipate and make tradeoffs and balance the business needs versus technical constraints. The ability to take large complex projects and break them down into manageable pieces develop functional specifications then deliver them in a successful and timely manner is expected. Maturity judgment negotiation skills ability to influence analytical talent and leadership are essential to success in this role.
Embedded Software Architecture & Development:
Define and implement end-to-end embedded software architecture for satellite bus systems
Lead development of real-time operating system (RTOS) implementations for spacecraft control including scheduling algorithms and embedded design patterns
Architect Linux OS solutions for satellite systems
Drive hardware bring-up processes: boot hardware verification and comprehensive testing
Design and implement control systems redundancy management and health check software
Develop and oversee software for custom ASICs and FPGAs used in spacecraft systems
Architect solutions for complex application synchronization (e.g. global time clock syncing)
Address avionics systems challenges unique to spacecraft operations
Satellite Bus Software & Systems Testing
Lead software development for satellite bus systems including:
oFlight software and spacecraft control
oAttitude determination and control systems (ADCS)
oPower management and distribution
oThermal control systems
oCommand and data handling
oFault detection isolation and recovery (FDIR)
oOnboard autonomy and health monitoring
Own systems test strategy and execution for satellite systems including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation frameworks
Lead on-orbit software testing and validation for operational satellites
Establish multi-test environments and continuous test/deployment pipelines
Drive software quality from prototype satellites to production at scale
Technical Leadership & Collaboration
Provide close partnership with Hardware Engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle from component design through integration and launch
Create documentation for worldwide regulatory bodies
Work closely with research teams to evaluate and simulate system-level performance
Provide technical leadership while meeting aggressive project schedules
Drive operational excellence and optimize system performance (e.g. battery usage resource management)
Team Building & Organizational Leadership
Scale the embedded software engineering organization from current state to production needs
Hire and develop exceptional embedded software engineers and leaders
Manage multiple engineering teams as a leader of leaders (100 people)
Foster a culture of innovation speed and technical excellence consistent with a new space mindset
Develop talent pipeline for specialized embedded systems expertise


Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering or related STEM discipline
US Citizenship Permanent Resident (Green Card) or Political Asylum status required
Min 10 years of experience as a manager of managers leading multiple engineering teams
Proven track record building and scaling engineering organizations (70 people)
Demonstrated ability to grow teams from scratch and scale to production operations
Experience managing directors principal engineers and senior technical leaders
Technical Experience
Min 10 years of embedded software design and development for mission-critical systems
Hands-on experience with embedded software architecture and implementation must be comfortable conducting architectural reviews and discussing technical implementations directly with engineers
Strong Unix/Linux and systems development skills
Proven experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) architecture and implementation
Deep understanding of embedded software design patterns and best practices
Experience with hardware-software integration in constrained environments
Track record taking projects from scoping requirements to successful launch
Software Development Methodology
Build quickly mindset test on the ground and anticipate how it will work in space
Proven ability to balance speed with reliability in aerospace-grade environments
Experience with rapid iteration and continuous test/deployment pipelines


Aerospace & Satellite Systems Experience
Hands-on experience with aerospace and avionics systems and techniques for high reliability/robust design
Experience leading satellite bus software development flight software attitude control power management spacecraft systems
On-orbit software testing and validation experience for operational satellites (testing SW on satellites)
Experience with space-qualified software development and certification processes
Understanding of radiation-tolerant computing and fault-tolerant system design
Familiarity with spacecraft subsystem integration and testing
Experience working on subsystems and subcomponents (not just system integration)
Experience with laser/optical inter-satellite link (OISL) software development is a strong differentiator
Embedded Systems Expertise
Experience developing software for custom ASICs and FPGAs
Deep knowledge of scheduling algorithms for real-time systems
Expertise in embedded control systems design and implementation
Experience with safety-critical software development standards
Knowledge of hardware acceleration techniques for embedded systems
Familiarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation frameworks for spacecraft validation
Technical Tools & Platforms
Proficiency with C/C ADA (primary languages for flight software)
Experience with Python Matlab for simulation and analysis
Familiarity with DOORS JAMA or similar requirements management tools
Experience with AWS cloud environments for ground systems integration
Knowledge of version control CI/CD and automated testing frameworks
Industry Experience
Substantial space industry experience (5 years preferred)
10 years managing products budgets and justifying resource needs to senior leaders
Background in fast-paced new space environments strongly preferred over traditional aerospace
10 years managing products budgets and justifying resource needs to senior leaders and finance partners


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 for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt 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 WA Redmond - 264100.00 - 350000.00 USD annually