Project Kuiper is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Project Kuiper will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.
This role is for a highly innovative and dynamic individual with the ability to design the highest power, lowest cost per watt, and lowest mass solar module flown in space! In this role, you will be responsible for the design definition, analysis, and test methodology to verify and demonstrate that the solar module will meet the end of life power requirements for the satellite constellation. You will apply research, your creativity, and experience to develop a solar module that meets the satellite reliability goals. You will be able to trade the design space ranging from power output, mass, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and degradation factors. This is a hands-on role and requires a self-starter with extensive skills in materials selection and solar cell packaging. You will be expected to defend your design decisions through technical design reviews and demonstrate the products produce-ability and performance through the full product development life cycle.
Key job responsibilities
- Design and improve upon the solar modules used on the Kuiper Satellites. This includes aspects related to test, reliability, and material selection to optimize degradation factors and manufacturability.
- Identify and analyze requirements in support of trade studies and the solar modules interfaces to the solar array assembly.
- Create, iterate, and own detailed CAD models of the solar module design options - Including drawings, process requirements, models, and the identification of critical characteristics.
- Analyze (classical / FEA) and respond to all load conditions (static, dynamic, thermal, fatigue) for compliance.
- Build development sample solar modules as path finders for further process and design improvements.
- Develop test plans throughout development with variable isolation DOEs and statistical analysis for long term reliability assessments as needed.
- Define qualification plans and identify acceptance testing methods at volume production.
- Facilitate cost trades on multiple parallel configurations for cost/manufacturability vs design uncertainty.
- Produce complete design packages – detailed drawings, analysis reports, BOMs, Assembly documentation, test reports.
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.
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Materials Science, or equivalent.
- 4 years minimum work experience as a mechanical engineer.
- 2 years minimum work experience on Solar Modules, Solar Cells, or Solar Arrays.
- Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
- Proficiency with CAD (Computer Aided Design) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.
- Experience defining and writing requirements and test plans for complex systems.
- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production
- Experience with the project management of technical projects
- Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Materials Science, or equivalent.
- Experience writing code in Python or other coding languages.
- Design experience with Solar Arrays for Space Applications.
- Knowledge of hardware design considerations for space environmental factors.
- Experience using Siemen's NX and TeamCenter for CAD and PLM software respectively.
- Proficiency in problem solving complex issues.
Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $105,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $185,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
