System Architecture Lead, Direct-to-Device, Amazon Leo

Amazon LEO is building a Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation designed to provide connectivity to customers around the world.

We are looking for an experienced system architecture lead with end-to-end experience across the direct-to-device (D2D) satellite and cellular ecosystem. This role owns the end-to-end technical architecture of the D2D service, translating customer and business needs into a coherent system solution across core, RAN, satellite, devices, spectrum, regulatory, and service.

The ideal candidate has already architected real D2D, NTN, satellite-to-cellular, or closely related systems and understands how architecture decisions in one domain affect the others. This is not a role focused on a single engineering discipline. We are looking for someone who can define the complete system, drive cross-domain decisions and trade-offs, and keep the solution technically coherent as requirements, customer needs, and subsystem designs evolve.

The successful candidate will combine broad cellular and service knowledge with strong customer and partner skills, strong ownership, and the ability to lead in a fast-moving, international environment.

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

• Own the end-to-end D2D technical architecture and the technical plan of record.
• Translate customer, MNO, and business needs into the system architecture, working closely with Business, Product, and Solutions Architecture.
• Drive cross-domain architecture decisions and trade-offs across core, RAN, satellite payload, devices, spectrum, regulatory, and service, and document their rationale.
• Assess technical feasibility of proposed solutions and support customer and MNO engagements, so that commitments are clear, achievable, and aligned with system capabilities.
• Partner with Systems Engineering to turn the architecture into requirements, interfaces, and acceptance criteria that Development can build and test against.
• Maintain end-to-end technical coherence as requirements, customer needs, and subsystem designs evolve, and resolve cross-domain conflicts between development teams.
• Bring ecosystem requirements and findings (MNO, OEM, chipset) back into the architecture, working with Telco Service Development.
• Define the evolution path of the architecture, including new features, markets, device categories, and next-generation satellites.
• Act as the subject matter expert for the end-to-end D2D architecture, and represent the architecture with leadership, customers, partners, and vendors.
• Work effectively across geographically distributed, international and multicultural engineering, business, and customer organizations.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience in satellite or cellular systems, including at least 3 years architecting Direct-to-Device (D2D), NTN, or direct satellite-to-cellular systems.
• Demonstrated end-to-end knowledge of D2D architectures, including satellite payload and ground segment, RAN, 5G core, and commercial devices.
• Experience making and documenting cross-domain architecture decisions and trade-offs in complex systems involving multiple engineering teams.
• Working knowledge of 3GPP NTN standards, mobility, and interworking with terrestrial networks
• Experience working directly with mobile network operators, device OEMs, or chipset vendors on D2D solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite-based RAN architectures for NTN.
• Experience with voice over NR (VoNR/IMS), messaging, and emergency services.
• Experience with device interoperability testing and certification programs.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering teams, vendors, partners, and leadership organizations.
• Experience with spectrum and regulatory aspects of satellite services (spectrum, PFD and emission limits, licensing).
• Experience with system budgets and analysis (link, power, capacity, availability) for satellite systems.
• Experience translating business and commercial models into technical architecture.
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering teams, business, customers, partners, and leadership organizations.

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, TX, Austin - 151,200.00 - 204,600.00 USD annually