Software Development Manager, Flight Software, Amazon Leo, Amazon Leo - Avionics End Point and FDIR

Are you ready to build software that flies in space? We are looking for a Software Development Manager to lead a team responsible for the embedded firmware powering avionics endpoints on satellites. These endpoints serve three mission-critical functions: managing spacecraft attitude (orientation), generating power for all onboard systems, and communicating with ground stations on Earth.

As the manager of this team, you will hire, develop, and lead software engineers building flight software for satellites. You will work closely with hardware and peer software teams to deliver highly optimized, fault-tolerant software written in C++, Rust, and Python. Beyond the software running on the satellite itself, you will own the strategy and execution of a framework to detect, inject, and isolate faults across the entire spacecraft. This is a pivotal time to join — the team's charter is expanding with new investment as the program advances into its next stages, giving you the opportunity to shape both the technology and the team from the ground up.

Key job responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and develop a team of software engineers building mission-critical flight software for satellites, providing regular coaching, feedback, and career development planning to grow talent at every level.
• Define the technical direction and product roadmap for avionics endpoint firmware, balancing near-term delivery milestones with long-term architectural investments and operational excellence.
• Own the design and execution of a satellite-wide fault detection, injection, and isolation framework, partnering with hardware engineers, peer software teams, and release teams to align on priorities and dependencies.
• Drive program management practices that keep cross-functional efforts on track, including tracking progress, mitigating delivery risks, and communicating status to leadership and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and integrate generative AI and automation tools where appropriate to improve development workflows, testing coverage, and overall team productivity.

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.

A day in the life

You will start many mornings reviewing operational metrics and system health for your team's services, then shift into design discussions or code reviews with your engineers. Expect a mix of collaborative time — syncing with hardware partners on interface contracts, joining cross-team planning sessions — and focused work such as writing technical strategy documents or preparing roadmap updates for leadership. You will regularly coach team members one-on-one, unblock technical decisions, and communicate priorities across the organization. As the program scales, you will also spend time shaping hiring plans and onboarding new engineers to keep pace with the expanding charter.

About the team

Our team builds the software that keeps satellites safe, powered, and connected. We own the avionics endpoint firmware and the fault management framework that spans the entire spacecraft. As the program enters its next phase with expanded funding, we are growing the team and taking on new challenges that directly impact mission success. This is a place where you can build strategy skills, grow into a seasoned leader, and gain regular visibility with senior leadership — all while working on problems that literally orbit the Earth.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of engineering team management experience
• 1+ years of providing technical leadership and project management for all aspects of the software development lifecycle experience
• 5+ years of Software Engineer, Software Developer, or related occupational experience
• Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
• Knowledge of engineering practices and patterns for the full software/hardware/networks development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, certification, and livesite operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in communicating with users, other technical teams, and senior leadership to collect requirements, describe software product features, technical designs, and product strategy
• Experience in recruiting, hiring, mentoring/coaching and managing teams of Software Engineers to improve their skills, and make them more effective, product software engineers

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 - 184,900.00 - 250,200.00 USD annually