Optical Test Lab Engineer, Amazon Leo OISL

Amazon Leo is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Within the Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) organization, you will directly contribute to the development and production of high-bandwidth free-space optical communication systems that connect satellites in orbit.

We are seeking an Optical Test Lab Engineer to join our Prototyping and Integration (PI) Team. In this role, you will build, bring up, operate, and maintain optical test setups and characterization systems used to validate OISL hardware performance. You will work closely with optical design engineers to develop measurement solutions for free-space optical communication components, execute optical verification and qualification test campaigns, and contribute to the continuous improvement of lab operations. This role requires hands-on expertise in optical metrology, the ability to bring up and maintain complex lab infrastructure, and a track record of delivering reliable, high-quality test results in a fast-paced development environment.

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
Build, align, bring up, and maintain optical test benches and characterization systems for free-space optical communication hardware, including laser transmitters, receivers, beam steering assemblies, and optical subsystems.

Operate and maintain optical lab infrastructure, ensuring test equipment is calibrated, functional, and ready to support development and qualification campaigns.

Execute optical verification and qualification test campaigns, collecting and analyzing data against performance requirements and success criteria.

Analyze optical test data, identify performance trends and anomalies, and present findings to

Support troubleshooting and root cause investigation of optical performance issues; contribute to corrective actions to resolve failures.

Contribute to the development and improvement of optical test procedures, measurement documentation, and calibration practices.

Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to support integrated hardware validation.

Assess lab operations, proactively fix deficiencies, and actively participate in lab improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and test quality.

A day in the life
You will spend your time hands-on in the optical lab—aligning test benches, configuring laser sources and detectors, running characterization routines, and maintaining the equipment and infrastructure that keeps test operations running smoothly. Between active measurements, you are analyzing data, updating procedures, troubleshooting equipment issues, and coordinating with engineering teams on upcoming test needs. The ideal candidate combines strong optical fundamentals with practical lab skills and takes pride in keeping a well-organized, efficient, and reliable lab environment. You deliver high-quality test data that engineering teams trust to make hardware decisions.

About the team
The Prototyping and Integration Team accelerates hardware development through rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and integration of novel Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and systems for the Optical Intersatellite Link organization. Our service areas span Hardware Fabrication, Electrical Integration, Electromechanical Hardware Development, DVT and Qualification Testing, and Quality Assurance. Our learnings are directly applied to scale aerospace manufacturing processes and enable risk reduction through comprehensive testing. We seek candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Success requires high motivation, attention to detail, and the highest standards of execution.

Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or equivalent
- Experience building, aligning, and operating optical test setups or characterization systems.
- Experience with optical measurement techniques including beam characterization, interferometry, radiometry, or imaging system performance evaluation.
- Experience with lasers, detectors, fiber optics, and free-space optical components.
- Experience with optical lab equipment and instrumentation (optical power meters, spectrometers, beam profilers, interferometers, or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or above in engineering, physics, or equivalent
- Experience in test setup automation using MATLAB, Python, or Pearl
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document and present optical test results to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience with free-space optical communication systems, laser communication terminals, or satellite optical payloads.
- Experience bringing up and maintaining optical lab environments, including equipment commissioning, calibration, and lab organization.
- Experience with wavefront sensing, adaptive optics, or precision pointing and tracking systems.
- Familiarity with optical design and modeling tools (Zemax OpticStudio, FRED, or equivalent).
- Experience with measurement uncertainty analysis and calibration practices for optical instrumentation.
- Experience working in cleanroom or controlled laboratory environments.
- Experience with structured failure investigation and root cause analysis processes.

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 exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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