Chief of Staff, VP of Hardware Development, Amazon LEO

Amazon • San Diego, CA

49d • $177,000 - $275,300 • Onsite

About The Position

Amazon LEO is launching a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites to provide global broadband connectivity. The Hardware Development organization is responsible for engineering and delivering current and next-generation connectivity constellations and ground systems. This role is a high-impact, highly visible position at the center of this organization, serving as a force multiplier for the VP of Hardware Development. The Chief of Staff will enable effective leadership across a geographically distributed organization executing complex, multi-disciplinary hardware programs. The role requires a technically credible, operationally excellent leader who thrives in ambiguous environments and can drive accountability across senior engineering teams.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 7+ years of technical program management experience
• Experience scoping and managing hardware engineering programs, including the development of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) using Smartsheet, MS Project, or equivalent tools
• Experience in avionics or space hardware qualification processes and flows, including design verification, environmental testing, and flight certification
• Experience operating independently in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with minimal direction
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with broadband LEO satellite constellations, including system architecture, payload design, and ground segment integration
• Experience collaborating across hardware and software engineering disciplines in a systems-level development environment
• Understanding of 3GPP Release 17 standards, 5G/6G systems, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) specifications
• Background in one or more of the following technical domains: Silicon/ASIC development flow; RF hardware development (transceivers, amplifiers, phased array systems); Modem hardware development (Ka-Band, Q/V-Band, or E-Band systems)

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted extension of the VP, taking ownership of delegated workstreams, follow-ups, and action items across the hardware development organization.
• Oversee and coordinate multiple concurrent hardware development programs — both commercial and government — related to broadband LEO satellite communications over Ka-Band, Q/V-Band, and E-Band; ensure programs are on schedule, within scope, and aligned to organizational priorities.
• Facilitate alignment and communication across teams operating in five different geographic locations, ensuring consistent execution and visibility into program status.
• Lead the drafting and coordination of annual and multi-year Operating Plans (OPs), working closely with the VP and functional leaders to scope initiatives, define resource requirements, and establish measurable goals.
• Develop and maintain detailed project scopes and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) using tools such as Smartsheet or MS Project; ensure projects are properly resourced and milestones are clearly defined.
• Assist the VP in organizational design, headcount planning, and team-building activities as the hardware development organization scales.
• Hold staff and program leads accountable for commitments and deliverables; proactively identify risks, escalate blockers, and drive resolution.
• Bridge hardware and software engineering teams to ensure integrated program execution; facilitate communication between engineering, operations, and business stakeholders.
• Maintain high-quality documentation of program status, decisions, risks, and action items; prepare executive briefings, program reviews, and leadership communications on behalf of the VP.

Benefits

• 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
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior