Phased Array & RAN Validation Engineer, LEO Antenna Test Infrastructure

Amazon Leo is an initiative to launch a constellation of LEO satellites that will provide broadband connectivity to underserved communities around the world. We are developing a satellite-to-mobile network to deliver ubiquitous cellular connectivity through the Kuiper constellation, partnering with mobile network operators globally to provide direct-to-cell service and extend coverage to billions of existing cellular devices.

About the Role

As a RAN Validation & Phased Array Antenna Test Engineer, you will own the end-to-end validation of our satellite-based gNB across all O-RAN protocol layers - from the O-RU physical layer through the O-DU L2 stack and O-CU higher layers - and integrate that validation with phased array antenna beam pattern testing to deliver comprehensive system-level verification.

Although Amazon LEO"s communication system typically relies on sat-com concepts and test methods (DVT, ATP, and QTP test campaigns and cycles), we look to the 3GPP industry standards and O-RAN testing practices to adopt those learnings and build upon them. You will bridge the gap between traditional telecom RAN testing methodologies and aerospace verification processes, designing test campaigns that validate not only RF and antenna performance, but also protocol conformance, interoperability, and end-to-end data plane integrity across the full gNB stack in a satellite 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

• Validate the 4G/5G RAN protocol stack for our satellite-based gNB across all O-RAN layers (O-RU, O-DU, O-CU), including functional, performance, interoperability, and regression testing
• Integrate phased array antenna beam pattern characterization (near-field/far-field OTA) with gNB protocol-level testing to validate beam steering and beam management under realistic orbital conditions
• Correlate beam pattern measurements with RAN KPIs alongside antenna Responsible Engineers
• Perform Tx/Rx conformance testing per 3GPP 38-141, adapted for NTN-specific waveforms, timing advance, Doppler pre-compensation, and HARQ relaxation
• Develop end-to-end system validation procedures exercising the full signal chain from UE attach through data transfer
• Adapt RAN validation campaigns to aerospace DVT, QTP, and ATP frameworks with full requirements traceability
• Analyze UE and gNB logs to debug and root-cause issues at PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC layers; collaborate with developers to drive fixes
• Validate O-RAN fronthaul (Split 7-2x) interface conformance including C/U/S/M-plane functionality
• Operate signalling testers (R&S CMX500, Keysight UXM) for protocol conformance and interoperability testing in NTN scenarios
• Build tools to analyze RAN performance and optimize gNB KPIs (throughput, latency, BLER, spectral efficiency)
• Develop automated test frameworks and maintain RAN lab infrastructure
• Drive instrumentation strategy for wireless tests across Payload and CT products

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.