Software Development Engineer II, Networking, Amazon Leo

Amazon LEO is building a revolutionary satellite constellation to deliver high-speed broadband to underserved communities worldwide. As a Software Development Engineer II on the Security and Reliability (SAR) Software team youll write the most critical firmware that runs on every LEO satellite. Your Rust code will execute in space handling everything from secure boot processes to cryptographic operations running on custom silicon with zero tolerance for failure.

This isnt your typical software role. Youll work directly with hardware debug on real silicon and ship firmware that must operate flawlessly for 10 years in orbit. From implementing cryptography to managing the complete boot chain your work will protect the security backbone of a global satellite network. Join a tight-knit team of world-class engineers where youll own significant technical surface area and see your code launched into orbit.

Key job responsibilities
- Develop low-level embedded Rust software for satellite platforms interfacing directly with custom hardware in RTOS and bare-metal systems.
- Develop and maintain secure boot architectures and cryptographic implementations including bootrom bootloader chains provisioning hardware Root of Trust integration and cryptography protocols
- Provide meaningful code review feedback to team members including senior engineers ensuring high-quality software delivery across the full development lifecycle from design through deployment and maintenance
- Debug complex hardware-software integration issues using JTAG debuggers interpreting logs and working directly with custom ASIC designs datasheets and real hardware test boards
- Lead operational excellence initiatives for space-based systems identifying root causes of issues implementing permanent fixes and maintaining reliability standards for firmware running on thousands of satellites

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.

A day in the life
Youll start your morning in standup hearing updates on high-profile fixes or bootrom feature implementations then dive into deep work writing Rust code for new features / commands or debugging boot failures on hardware test boards using debuggers. Your afternoon might include cross-team syncs with ASIC engineers on calibration values reviewing teammates code for signing tools or investigating why tests behave differently across silicon revisions. Youll wrap up by analyzing production telemetry to ensure fleet-wide OTA success writing design documents for handling hardware variations or preparing builds for validation teams.

About the team
SAR Software is a specialized team of embedded software engineers within LEO responsible for the most security-critical firmware on every satellite. We own the full trust chain from boot ROM through runtime systems including secure boot cryptography OTA updates and telemetry on custom ASIC hardware. Our stack centers on embedded Rust FreeRTOS ARM platforms and hardware-backed cryptography.

The team is highly selective and deeply technical with a strong culture of engineering rigor thoughtful design review and end-to-end ownership. Engineers work directly with hardware test boards JTAG debuggers and real silicon while solving complex challenges in secure systems and applied cryptography. From architecture through orbital deployment every team member has meaningful influence on both the technical direction and the firmware that underpins global satellite communications.

- 3 years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2 years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 1 years of software development engineer or related occupational experience
- 1 years of designing and developing large-scale multi-tiered multi-threaded embedded or distributed software applications tools systems and services using: C# C Java or Perl experience
- 1 years of Object Oriented Design experience
- Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science Engineering Mathematics or a related field
- Experience programming with at least one software programming language

- 3 years of full software development life cycle including coding standards code reviews source control management build processes testing and operations experience
- Bachelors degree in computer science or equivalent

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 - 143700.00 - 194400.00 USD annually