Chief of Staff, VP of Hardware Development, Amazon LEO

Description

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

The Hardware Development organization at Amazon Leo is responsible for the engineering and delivery of current and next-generation connectivity constellations and ground systems. Our teams span five global locations and execute across both commercial and government programs, covering broadband LEO satellite communications over Ka-Band, Q/V-Band, and E-Band frequencies.

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

The Chief of Staff to the VP of Hardware Development is a high-impact, highly visible role at the center of Amazon Leo's hardware engineering organization. This individual will serve as a force multiplier for the VP, enabling effective leadership across a geographically distributed organization executing complex, multi-disciplinary hardware programs.

The Chief of Staff will take on delegated responsibilities across program management, team coordination, operating planning, and cross-functional execution. This role requires a technically credible, operationally excellent leader who thrives in ambiguous environments and can drive accountability across senior engineering teams.

Key Job Responsibilities

* Serve as a trusted extension of the VP, taking ownership of delegated work streams, follow-ups, and action items across the hardware development organization

* Oversee and coordinate multiple concurrent hardware development programs - both commercial and government - related to broadband LEO satellite communications over Ka-Band, Q/V-Band, and E-Band; ensure programs are on schedule, within scope, and aligned to organizational priorities

* Facilitate alignment and communication across teams operating in five different geographic locations, ensuring consistent execution and visibility into program status

* Lead the drafting and coordination of annual and multi-year Operating Plans (OPs), working closely with the VP and functional leaders to scope initiatives, define resource requirements, and establish measurable goals

* Develop and maintain detailed project scopes and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) using tools such as Smartsheet or MS Project; ensure projects are properly resourced and milestones are clearly defined

* Assist the VP in organizational design, headcount planning, and team-building activities as the hardware development organization scales

* Hold staff and program leads accountable for commitments and deliverables; proactively identify risks, escalate blockers, and drive resolution

* Bridge hardware and software engineering teams to ensure integrated program execution; facilitate communication between engineering, operations, and business stakeholders

* Maintain high-quality documentation of program status, decisions, risks, and action items; prepare executive briefings, program reviews, and leadership communications on behalf of the VP

* Travel is mostly regional, and is expected to be 10-15%

Basic Qualifications

* Master's degree or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

* 7+ years of technical program management experience

* Experience scoping and managing hardware engineering programs, including the development of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) using Smartsheet, MS Project, or equivalent tools

* Experience in avionics or space hardware qualification processes and flows, including design verification, environmental testing, and flight certification

* Experience operating independently in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with minimal direction

Preferred Qualifications

* Familiarity with broadband LEO satellite constellations, including system architecture, payload design, and ground segment integration

* Experience collaborating across hardware and software engineering disciplines in a systems-level development environment

* Understanding of 3

GPP Release 17 standards, 5G/6G systems, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and Narrow band IoT (NB-IoT) specifications

* Background in one or more of the following technical domains:
Silicon/ASIC development flow; RF hardware development (transceivers, amplifiers, phased array systems);
Modem hardware development (Ka-Band, Q/V-Band, or E-Band systems)

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants:
Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure…