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We are seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer to help architect and build a ground-based optical communication system that enables high-speed data transfer between satellites and ground stations. This role sits at the intersection of embedded systems, networking, cloud infrastructure, and remote operations, and requires a versatile engineer who can work across the full stack from hardware-adjacent firmware to cloud-based orchestration and remote monitoring.
You will own the design and implementation of software systems that control, monitor, and manage optical ground terminals, including real-time device control, network integration, remote management, and cloud-based operations infrastructure. This is a greenfield opportunity to shape the architecture of a critical system from the ground up.
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
Architect and develop software for ground-based optical communication terminals, spanning embedded control systems, networking stacks, and cloud infrastructure.
Design and implement remote management and monitoring systems for geographically distributed ground terminal deployments.
Develop networking solutions for high-throughput optical data paths, including integration with broader network infrastructure.
Build cloud-based operations platforms for fleet management, telemetry, alarming, and performance monitoring.
Design and implement infrastructure-as-code for automated deployment, configuration management, and scaling of ground systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including optical, electrical, firmware, mechanical, and systems engineers.
Define system architecture, interfaces, and protocols for ground terminal software subsystems.
Develop fault-tolerant, highly available systems capable of autonomous operation in remote environments.
Own full lifecycle delivery from requirements through deployment and ongoing operations.
A day in the life
As a Software Engineer on the Optical Inter-Satellite Link team, you won't just write code - you'll see it in action. Your software will control and monitor high-speed laser communications between ground and satellites that moving at orbital velocities, and you'll be there for every stage of the journey: from early design and on-the-ground verifications to watching your code enable high throughput commuications.
About the team
You will join a multi-disciplinary team of top-notch engineers whose work spans an unusually wide aperture: embedded flight software running on satellites in orbit, cloud-based systems powering mission and network operations, automation frameworks that keep a growing constellation healthy, and AI-driven capabilities that make our optical links smarter with every orbit. We collaborate closely with optical, electrical, firmware, opto-mechanical, and operations teams — and with partner organizations including Mission Operations and Optical Network Operations — to deliver one of the most advanced optical communication systems ever built. 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
- Experience working with networking fundamentals or Internet protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, SSL, DNS, HTTP/S, or equivalent
- Experience in one or more of: C, C++, Python, or Rust
- Experience with Linux systems programming (kernel, drivers, networking stack, or system services)
- Experience with cloud services (AWS preferred) including compute, storage, networking, and monitoring Preferred Qualifications: - 5+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
- Experience in embedded development in C/C++, or experience with general troubleshooting/debugging of hardware
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting infrastructure
- Experience in Network protocols like DNS/DHCP/TCP, or experience in Kafka and experience in Linux OS and network troubleshooting
- Experience in networking administration and troubleshooting, or experience in managing and troublshooting network and experience with automation and any version control tools
- Experience with hardware/software integration and real-time systems
- Experience with optical or RF communication systems, modems, or signal processing
- Experience with remote device management at scale (OTA updates, fleet provisioning, configuration management)
- Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, ECS) for edge or remote deployments
- Experience with monitoring and observability systems (CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, or similar)
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and deployment automation for embedded or infrastructure systems
- Experience working in aerospace, telecommunications, or other mission-critical environments
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.
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 https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t 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 https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
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