DESCRIPTION

Project Kuiper is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.

Are you excited about developing the guidance, navigation, and control software for an advanced fleet of communications satellites? Our team is creating the algorithms and software that will perform high-performance flight control on each spacecraft; in other words, the autopilot that flies the constellation.

As a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) software engineer, you will design, implement, test, and support the real-time software that flies the spacecraft from the moment of launch to re-entry, joining a team of control systems experts and engineers to deliver the control/estimation algorithms. In collaboration with partner teams, you will execute cross-disciplinary product development with a high bar for rigor and technical excellence. You must be able to thrive and succeed in an entrepreneurial environment, and not be hindered by ambiguity or competing priorities.

The right candidate will possess a strong, well-rounded technical background in software, with some hardware familiarity. Prior experience with spacecraft or autonomous vehicles is helpful, but not a prerequisite.

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.

About the team
The mission of the Guidance, Navigation and Control team is to fly the satellites. We design the constellation for good coverage and space safety, then invent the guidance techniques that maneuver each satellite, winding its way up from injection to an operational orbit, merging into the constellation flow, and maintaining stationkeeping, staying in appropriate relative position with its neighbors. Additionally, every spacecraft is ready and able to maneuver at any time to avoid other satellites or space debris if a close pass threatens. Navigation functions use GPS to provide precise positioning in real-time, as forecasts into the future, and taking into account maneuvers we plan to make and drag the spacecraft experience. This allows the payloads and solar panels can perform their mission, each satellite has an onboard autopilot or “attitude determination and control system” that computes orientation and what to do about it. The team specifies the type, power and precision of control actuators like torque rods and reaction wheels, the many different sensors for measuring orientation and motion, and the compute algorithms in between. We write those control loop algorithms with a larger physics simulation that models the spacecraft in high dynamic detail.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

– 5+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
– 5+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
– 5+ years of leading design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
– Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

– Master’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline.
– Familiarity with interdisciplinary developments that involve hardware, software, and algorithm co-design and verification.
– Expertise in real-time operating systems, embedded Linux with real-time extensions, systems programming, concurrency, and scheduling.
– Expertise building, testing, and verifying real-time or safety-critical systems.
– Experience with sensors, actuators, embedded vehicle electronics/avionics, and/or control systems.
– Experience with simulation in various contexts: hardware-in-the-loop, monte-carlo, emulators.
– Experience with operating remotely deployed systems in extreme environments.
– Experience supporting infrastructure and tool development for scientific/engineering users.
– Experience in building or leading strong engineering teams, including hiring and growing software engineers.

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 $151,300/year in our lowest geographic market up to $261,500/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.

USA, WA, Redmond