Hardware Development Specialist – Machining, Amazon Leo

Amazon Leo is Amazons low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools hospitals businesses and government agencies Amazon Leo will serve people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

At Amazon Leo the Development Operations team sits at the center of satellite hardware development building the labs tools and infrastructure that turn engineering concepts into testable hardware. We are looking for an experienced machinist to establish and lead our development machine shop shaping the equipment processes and fabrication capabilities that will help us build and test satellite hardware at pace.

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.

Key job responsibilities
- Program set up and operate 3 4 and 5-axis machining centers manual mills manual lathes bandsaws and waterjet; own the full workflow from engineering drawing to finished part
- Prove out new part programs and maintain revision control for programs tooling and setups
- Perform dimensional inspections using micrometers calipers height gauges and on-machine probing
- Lead standup of the development machine shop equipment selection layout tooling library maintenance schedules and safety standards
- Evaluate and recommend new machines tooling and fixtures; support procurement decisions
- Stay in tune with active development programs to prioritize shop work and make smart calls on what to run in-house versus send to outside vendors
- Provide early DFM/DFMA input to engineering teams during design and participate in design reviews as the manufacturing voice on the team
- Serve as the teams go-to machining resource; mentor DevOps teammates on foundational shop skills and build work instructions that allow the team to handle basic tasks independently


About the team
The Development Operations (DevOps) team is a tight-knit cross-functional group that directly enables Kuipers hardware development. We build and maintain the labs tools fixtures and infrastructure that allow engineering teams to design prototype and test satellite hardware at pace. We are collaborative by nature everyone rolls up their sleeves when the team needs it and we actively share skills across disciplines.

We are looking for people who thrive in a fast-paced start-up-like environment and who find energy in solving hard problems with a small highly capable team.


- Experience planning and maintaining lab facilities for optimal efficiency and creating new processes when necessary
- 10 years of machine shop experience operating CNC equipment (multi-axis mills lathes routers)
- 8 years of CAM programming experience
- 10 years of experience with GD&T principles and engineering drawing interpretation
- 5 years of experience machining tight-tolerance high-value components
- Demonstrated ability to own the full part manufacturing workflow: from drawing interpretation and programming through setup operation and inspection
- Experience with a range of materials: aluminum stainless steels titanium nickel-based alloys
- Experience with dimensional inspection using micrometers calipers height gauges and on-machine probing
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to shifting demands in a fast-paced environment
- Clear effective communication with engineers and non-machining teammates

- 15 years of hands-on machining experience in a prototype R&D or aerospace manufacturing environment
- Experience standing up or significantly improving a machine shop or fabrication area
- Experience advising engineering teams on DFMA or participating in design reviews
- Mechanical inspection experience using a portable CMM or FARO Arm
- Experience managing shop workload across multiple projects with competing priorities and tight timelines
- Proficiency in Siemens NX Manufacturing or comparable CAM software (Mastercam Fusion 360 etc.)
- Experience with mill-turn and large-format 5-axis machining centers
- Familiarity with Okuma and Fanuc NC controllers
- Experience with program verification software such as Vericut
- Exposure to automating or templating programming processes for repeat part families
- Experience in aerospace defense or advanced hardware development environments
- Familiarity with AS9100 Quality Management System
- Experience mentoring technicians or engineers on machining and fabrication skills

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 - 136900.00 - 185200.00 USD annually