Director, Embedded Software Engineering, Amazon Leo

The Director of Embedded Software Engineering will lead mission-critical embedded software development for Amazon Leo's 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 - it's 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:

• \tDefine and implement end-to-end embedded software architecture for satellite bus systems

• \tLead development of real-time operating system (RTOS) implementations for spacecraft control, including scheduling algorithms and embedded design patterns

• \tArchitect Linux OS solutions for satellite systems

• \tDrive hardware bring-up processes: boot, hardware verification, and comprehensive testing

• \tDesign and implement control systems, redundancy management, and health check software

• \tDevelop and oversee software for custom ASICs and FPGAs used in spacecraft systems

• \tArchitect solutions for complex application synchronization (e.g., global time clock syncing)

• \tAddress avionics systems challenges unique to spacecraft operations

Satellite Bus Software & Systems Testing

• \tLead software development for satellite bus systems, including:

o\tFlight software and spacecraft control

o\tAttitude determination and control systems (ADCS)

o\tPower management and distribution

o\tThermal control systems

o\tCommand and data handling

o\tFault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR)

o\tOnboard autonomy and health monitoring

• \tOwn systems test strategy and execution for satellite systems, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation frameworks

• \tLead on-orbit software testing and validation for operational satellites

• \tEstablish multi-test environments and continuous test/deployment pipelines

• \tDrive software quality from prototype satellites to production at scale

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• \tProvide close partnership with Hardware Engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle - from component design through integration and launch

• \tCreate documentation for worldwide regulatory bodies

• \tWork closely with research teams to evaluate and simulate system-level performance

• \tProvide technical leadership while meeting aggressive project schedules

• \tDrive operational excellence and optimize system performance (e.g., battery usage, resource management)

Team Building & Organizational Leadership

• \tScale the embedded software engineering organization from current state to production needs

• \tHire and develop exceptional embedded software engineers and leaders

• \tManage multiple engineering teams as a leader of leaders (100+ people)

• \tFoster a culture of innovation, speed, and technical excellence consistent with a "new space" mindset

• \tDevelop talent pipeline for specialized embedded systems expertise

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• \tBachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related STEM discipline

• \tUS Citizenship, Permanent Resident (Green Card), or Political Asylum status required

• \tMin 10+ years of experience as a manager of managers leading multiple engineering teams

• \tProven track record building and scaling engineering organizations (70+ people)

• \tDemonstrated ability to grow teams from scratch and scale to production operations

• \tExperience managing directors, principal engineers, and senior technical leaders

Technical Experience

• \tMin 10+ years of embedded software design and development for mission-critical systems

• \tHands-on experience with embedded software architecture and implementation - must be comfortable conducting architectural reviews and discussing technical implementations directly with engineers

• \tStrong Unix/Linux and systems development skills

• \tProven experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) architecture and implementation

• \tDeep understanding of embedded software design patterns and best practices

• \tExperience with hardware-software integration in constrained environments

• \tTrack record taking projects from scoping requirements to successful launch

Software Development Methodology

• \t"Build quickly" mindset - test on the ground and anticipate how it will work in space

• \tProven ability to balance speed with reliability in aerospace-grade environments

• \tExperience with rapid iteration and continuous test/deployment pipelines

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Aerospace & Satellite Systems Experience

• \tHands-on experience with aerospace and avionics systems and techniques for high reliability/robust design

• \tExperience leading satellite bus software development - flight software, attitude control, power management, spacecraft systems

• \tOn-orbit software testing and validation experience for operational satellites ("testing SW on satellites")

• \tExperience with space-qualified software development and certification processes

• \tUnderstanding of radiation-tolerant computing and fault-tolerant system design

• \tFamiliarity with spacecraft subsystem integration and testing

• \tExperience working on subsystems and subcomponents (not just system integration)

• \tExperience with laser/optical inter-satellite link (OISL) software development is a strong differentiator

Embedded Systems Expertise

• \tExperience developing software for custom ASICs and FPGAs

• \tDeep knowledge of scheduling algorithms for real-time systems

• \tExpertise in embedded control systems design and implementation

• \tExperience with safety-critical software development standards

• \tKnowledge of hardware acceleration techniques for embedded systems

• \tFamiliarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation frameworks for spacecraft validation

Technical Tools & Platforms

• \tProficiency with C/C++, ADA (primary languages for flight software)

• \tExperience with Python, Matlab for simulation and analysis

• \tFamiliarity with DOORS, JAMA or similar requirements management tools

• \tExperience with AWS cloud environments for ground systems integration

• \tKnowledge of version control, CI/CD, and automated testing frameworks

Industry Experience

• \tSubstantial space industry experience (5+ years preferred)

• \t10+ years managing products, budgets, and justifying resource needs to senior leaders

• \tBackground in fast-paced "new space" environments strongly preferred over traditional aerospace

• \t10+ 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.

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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

USA, WA, Redmond - 264,100.00 - 350,000.00 USD annually