Senior Phased Array RF Front-End Architect, Payload Architecture Team

Job Title

Senior Phased Array RF Front-End Architect, Payload Architecture Team

Role Summary

Design and own the phased array RF front-end architecture for Amazon Leo satellite payloads (Direct-to-Device and Broadband). The role spans the analog RF signal chain from antenna element to digital interface and requires coordination with antenna, silicon, DSP/beamforming, thermal, power, and verification teams.

Hands-on engineering work in lab and on-orbit support; drive semiconductor process trade studies and front-end requirements to meet space environment constraints.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The role expects significant prior experience; the posting specifies 7+ years in RF front-end or phased array architecture for wireless, satellite, or defense applications.

Responsibilities

Accountable for RF front-end architecture decisions, performance validation, and technology roadmap across multiple payload programs.

• Own phased array RF front-end architecture across D2D and Broadband payloads from antenna element to digital interface.
• Ensure RF performance across beam steering angles (manage scan loss, impedance variation, amplitude/phase consistency).
• Define transmit/receive and T/R module architectures considering performance, integration, and process trade-offs.
• Co-optimize analog front-end and digital beamforming (PA linearity/efficiency, DPD/CFR, ADC interface).
• Drive semiconductor process selection trade studies balancing RF performance, integration, cost, and radiation tolerance.
• Specify radiation-tolerance requirements and collaborate with silicon teams to qualify components.
• Flow down system-level front-end requirements to components and coordinate verification and test campaigns.
• Contribute to thermal and power architecture for the RF front-end in space environment constraints.
• Evaluate emerging semiconductor and integration technologies for future satellite generations.
• Support production builds, on-orbit debugging, and be available for on-call support.

Requirements

Technical and operational must-haves and helpful additional skills. Candidates must satisfy export-control eligibility listed below.

Must-have

• Deep experience in phased array RF front-end or T/R module architecture, including scan-angle performance and element-level behavior.
• Practical semiconductor design experience including full-chip and subsystem integration.
• Experience with RF measurement equipment: power meters, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators, network analyzers, oscilloscopes.
• Experience in wireless system design, system integration, and RF system analysis.
• Experience developing RF system simulators or link-budget tools using MATLAB, Python, or C++.
• Proven track record of driving architecture trade studies and delivering test-validated requirements.
• Ability to work in lab, analyze data, and support on-orbit anomaly investigations.
• Export-control eligibility: must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice-to-have

• Experience with multi-band or wideband front-end architectures spanning cellular-band and Ka-band or mmWave.
• Experience with PA linearity/efficiency trade-offs and transmit-chain linearization techniques (DPD, CFR).
• Experience in space vehicle/satellite operations or space communications industry.
• Experience defining radiation-tolerance specs and qualifying parts for space.
• Experience leading technical collaborations across hardware, software, and program teams.

Education Requirements

Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent experience is listed as a basic qualification. Preferred qualifications include a PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics. The posting allows equivalent practical experience in lieu of degree language.

About the Company

Company: Amazon

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States

Amazon is a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, committed to delivering fast, reliable services across diverse sectors. The company's innovative technologies include AWS, Kindle, and Echo, as well as developing low Earth orbit satellite networks for improved internet connectivity worldwide.