Senior Embedded Software Engineer, Amazon Leo...

We’re seeking an experienced embedded software engineer with security experience to architect and develop mission-critical firmware for our satellite systems. You’ll work at the intersection of hardware and software, developing ASIC firmware including control for RF communication subsystems that enable high-performance satellite links. Your work will span secure ASIC boot operation, low-level register control, RF hardware configuration, algorithms and real-time embedded software that drives our satellite operations.

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

• Lead software development for critical modules including ASIC firmware, commanding systems, telemetry processing, power control, hardware interfaces, and autonomous capabilities, implementing security-by-design principles throughout the satellite’s operational lifetime

• Design and implement robust, security-hardened software and firmware in Linux and real-time operating system (RTOS) environments, ensuring high reliability and security under resource constraints

• Drive security architecture for the ASIC and involve in threat modeling by identifying potential vulnerabilities, conducting security reviews, and designing defensive measures to protect satellite systems from cyber threats

• Build hardware interfaces by writing software that communicates with devices and electronics using protocols including I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, USB, JTAG, and Ethernet, with appropriate security controls and authentication mechanisms

• Collaborate closely with hardware design teams, chip architects, and customers to support secure custom silicon chip and board design, bringing new hardware from concept through secure bring-up, verification, and integration

• Champion reliability by following best practices in secure embedded software development, including secure coding standards, code reviews, and security testing to ensure our systems meet the demanding requirements of space operations

• Optimize for production by partnering with test engineers to integrate security validation into manufacturing and test environments

About the team

• Meaningful impact: Your code will operate in space, enabling critical communications and services while protecting vital infrastructure

• Technical growth: Work with cutting-edge technology at the intersection of highly sophisticated ASIC/SOC, hardware, software, security, and space systems

• Security leadership: Shape security practices and architecture for next-generation satellite systems

• Collaborative environment: Partner with world-class hardware engineers, security architects, systems engineers, and domain experts

• Innovation culture: We value creative problem-solving and encourage new approaches to complex security and engineering challenges

7+ years of non-internship professional software development experience

• 5+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience

• 7+ 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

• Knowledge of programming languages such as C/C++, Python, Java or Perl

• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with significant contributions to system design and architecture of complex systems (including architecture patterns, reliability, scaling, and security considerations)

• Deep expertise in secure embedded firmware development for bare-metal or RTOS-based systems, with proven ability to meet real-time, low-power, reliability, and security requirements under hardware resource constraints

• Experience with debugging tools such as GDB for testing code on FPGA or prototype chips

• Experience with security-aware software design, including threat modeling, security reviews, and vulnerability assessment

• Practical knowledge of penetration testing methodologies and tools for embedded systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in system-level architecture and board-level design

• Background working with security-aware bootloaders, secure boot chains, and trusted execution environments

• Practical experience using cryptography libraries (mbedTLS, OpenSSL, PKCS11) in secure applications, including key management and secure storage

• Knowledge of security standards and frameworks (e.g., Common Criteria, NIST guidelines, secure coding standards)

• Experience with hardware security modules (HSMs) or trusted platform modules (TPMs)

• Familiarity with secure communications protocols and encryption implementations

• Knowledge of telecommunications or data communications systems security (routers and switches)

• Experience with security certifications or compliance requirements for aerospace/defense systems

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 .

USA, CA, San Diego - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Redmond - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s 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.

Join our mission to revolutionize space technology by developing secure, mission-critical software that powers our satellite constellation. Your work will directly enable communications, autonomous operations, and reliable performance for satellites serving customers worldwide-while ensuring robust security from the moment they launch until their planned de-orbit.