Sr. DSP/RF SoC Engineer, LEO Antenna Test Infrastructure

Amazon LEO is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Amazon LEO will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.

As a DSP/RF SoC Engineer you will develop and deliver custom test instrumentation for verifying Direct to Device (D2D) and 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) satellite hardware. You will work at the intersection of digital signal processing, RF system design, and FPGA-based Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms to enable comprehensive DVT and QTP test campaigns for our D2D products.

You will collaborate closely with external vendors to architect, specify, and bring up FPGA-based SDR solutions tailored to our unique satellite-to-handset link requirements. You will also partner with our internal FPGA team to integrate these solutions into our test infrastructure — and as a stretch goal, contribute FPGA RTL code or firmware yourself. In addition, you will operate and configure RF test instrumentation including both signalling and non-signalling testers (callbox platforms such as the Rohde & Schwarz CMX500) to perform link-level testing and validate D2D modem performance under realistic channel conditions.

Key job responsibilities
- Design and develop custom DSP-based test instrumentation for D2D / 5G NTN satellite hardware verification

- Work with vendors to specify, procure, and integrate FPGA Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms for test signal generation and analysis

- Collaborate with the internal FPGA team to develop and validate RTL blocks, firmware, and signal processing chains for test applications

- Configure and operate RF signalling testers (e.g., R&S CMX500) and non-signalling test equipment for D2D link testing

- Perform link-level tests including EVM, ACLR, sensitivity, throughput, and BLER measurements under various channel models and orbital scenarios

- Develop test procedures and contribute to DVT, QTP, and ATP campaign planning for D2D devices

- Architect signal processing pipelines for waveform generation, capture, and real-time analysis aligned with 3GPP 5G NTN standards (NR NTN, Band n254/n255/n256)

- Integrate test instrumentation with existing test automation frameworks and data collection pipelines

- Drive vendor relationships, manage SOWs, and track deliverables for outsourced SDR/FPGA development

- Document test system architectures, calibration procedures, and measurement uncertainty analyses

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.

About the team
The Amazon LEO Antenna Test Infrastructure team provides the test systems and techniques to verify Payload, Customer Terminal, and full satellite vehicle hardware, integrates the test automation, and connects the dots between Responsible Engineers and their product's test metrics. The team is a pivotal point for a multitude of other teams and orgs, our internal customers. And it's highly multidisciplinary: SysDE, SDE, ME, Metrology, Robotics, Antenna, FPGA, and Lab Ops all converge in the same room.

Basic Qualifications

- MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with focus on DSP/RF/Communications
- 5+ years of experience in DSP algorithm development for wireless communications systems
- 3+ years of experience with FPGA-based signal processing or Software Defined Radio platforms (e.g., Xilinx RFSoC, Zynq UltraScale+, or equivalent)
- Experience with 5G NR physical layer: OFDM, LDPC/Polar coding, MIMO, beamforming, and NTN-specific adaptations (timing advance, Doppler pre-compensation)
- Experience with RF test instrumentation (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VSA/VSG, network analyzers)
- Experience with at least one HDL language (VHDL or Verilog) or high-level synthesis tools
- Experience in Python, MATLAB, or C++ for signal processing algorithm development and test automation

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with 3GPP 5G NTN standards (Rel-17/18), NR-NTN protocol stack, or satellite-to-handset (D2D) link design
- Experience with Rohde & Schwarz CMX500 or similar 5G signalling testers (Keysight UXM, Anritsu MT8000A)
- Track record of developing FPGA RTL for real-time signal processing (channelizers, filters, modulators/demodulators, synchronization loops)
- Experience with RF front-end design, frequency planning, and SatCom link budgets
- Familiarity with DVB-S2X, LTE/NR protocol testing, or ORAN fronthaul interfaces
- Experience managing vendor relationships and outsourced hardware/firmware development
- Working knowledge of version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and test automation frameworks
- Strong understanding of RF calibration, measurement uncertainty, and traceability

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

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.

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