Manager, Satellite Production, Continuous Improvement, Amazon Leo

Amazon•Bellevue, WA

25d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Continuous improvement Manager to establish and lead our ACES (Amazon Customer Excellence System) continuous improvement program within Amazon LEO's satellite manufacturing operations. This pivotal leadership role will build and implement the first ACES charter for satellite production, driving operational excellence and cultural transformation as we scale our manufacturing capabilities to deliver 3,236 satellites for Project Kuiper's mission of providing global broadband access. As the founding manager of the LEO ACES team, you will build and lead a high-performing team responsible for implementing continuous improvement strategies across our satellite production operations. Your team will serve as the cornerstone for establishing a culture of operational excellence, driving data-driven improvements, and standardizing best practices in our manufacturing processes. This role combines technical leadership with change management, requiring someone who can both solve complex manufacturing challenges and inspire teams to embrace a continuous improvement mindset. Working at the intersection of aerospace manufacturing and operational excellence, you will partner with cross-functional teams across hardware, software, manufacturing, quality, launch, and test organizations to deliver innovative solutions that increase production efficiency and quality. Your success in this role will be measured by your ability to build and scale the ACES program, drive measurable improvements in production metrics, and foster a sustainable culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization. This role is based in Redmond, WA, and requires someone who embodies Amazon's Leadership Principles, particularly: Hire and Develop the Best, Earn Trust, Ownership, Insist on High Standards, and Think Big. Join us in shaping the future of satellite manufacturing while contributing to Project Kuiper's mission of bringing reliable internet connectivity to underserved communities worldwide. Note: This position requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency due to ITAR regulations. The Manager for LEO ACES Continuous Improvement role is critical to Kuiper's mission of establishing and maintaining world-class satellite production capabilities. This role will pioneer the implementation of ACES methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) within satellite production, focusing on reducing production costs, minimizing waste, and optimizing manufacturing processes across our constellation production line. The position requires a strategic leader who can build and lead a team dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency through data-driven solutions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a highly technical environment. A successful candidate should have proven experience leading impactful continuous improvement programs in advanced manufacturing settings, particularly in organizations transitioning from initial production to steady-state operations. You will be responsible for developing and implementing program charters that drive standardization and quality improvements across satellite production teams, while ensuring compliance with aerospace industry standards and ITAR regulations. Your expertise in managing complex technical projects and leading rapid investigation initiatives will be essential for optimizing our satellite manufacturing processes. The role requires collaboration with multiple engineering disciplines, including RF, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams, to create efficient mechanisms for improving Kuiper satellite production systems. You will establish DMAIC methodologies to track manufacturing performance, lead kaizen events, and implement lean manufacturing principles adapted specifically for satellite production. The position involves building and leading a cross-functional team of continuous improvement specialists who will serve as change agents across our manufacturing facilities. You will be responsible for developing standard work procedures, implementing quality management systems, and ensuring that ACES methodologies are effectively integrated into our satellite production operations. This team will own delivering improvements that material impact the cost, quality and delivery of our satellite technology. 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.

Requirements

5+ years of people management experience
5+ years of technical program management experience
7+ years of direct work with engineering teams experience
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
Experience in technical program management
Six Sigma Black Belt certification
Experience leveraging technology and implementing lean principles / Six Sigma methodologies to drive process improvements or equivalent

Nice To Haves

Experience communicating across technical and non-technical audiences, including executive level stakeholders or clients
Experience managing projects across cross functional teams, building sustainable processes and coordinating release schedules
Experience in managing an engineering team operating at scale
BS degree in computer science or equivalent, or 4+ years of quality assurance engineering experience
Experience in project and program management and delivering key business outcomes
Experience in understanding performance metrics and developing them to measure progress against key performance indicators
Knowledge of materials management processes, including inventory management, purchasing, warehouse management, and material requirements planning
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Aviation, Aerospace, Technical Communications, etc.)
Knowledge of QA methodology and tools
Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities, or experience in SQL Server/MySQL
Knowledge of data analysis languages (e.g., R, Stata, Python, etc.) or other statistical software

Responsibilities

Managing an entitlement-based portfolio of improvement projects, prioritizing initiatives that offer the highest impact on production efficiency and quality. This includes regular project status reviews, resource allocation, and strategic planning sessions.
Balancing teams time between leading high-impact technical problem-solving sessions and fostering a lean culture from the ground up. You might start your day analyzing production data to identify bottlenecks, then transition to facilitating a kaizen event with cross-functional teams on the manufacturing floor.
Applying rigorous continuous improvement methodologies tailored to the unique challenges of satellite production. This could involve adapting Six Sigma or Lean principles to address issues in clean room environments or optimizing complex assembly processes.
Collaborating with cross-functional leaders from Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to drive positive results. You'll need to advocate effectively for both internal and external customers, pushing for improvements while maintaining positive relationships.
Tackling novel challenges unique to satellite manufacturing, such as optimizing processes for low-volume, high-complexity production or ensuring quality consistency across multiple satellite iterations.
Conducting gemba walks to observe processes firsthand, engaging with technicians and engineers to gather insights and identify improvement opportunities.
Developing and delivering training sessions on ACES methodologies, ensuring the team stays current with the latest continuous improvement techniques.
Analyzing complex datasets to uncover trends and opportunities for process optimization, then presenting findings and recommendations to senior leadership.