Lake Washington Institute of Technology students are getting hands-on lab training through a partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite broadband network. Project Kuiper is a $10 billion initiative by Amazon to build and launch over 3,000 satellites to provide high-speed internet access to millions of people worldwide. The program already employs over 2,000 people in Puget Sound locations, including a satellite factory in Kirkland and a research and development facility in Redmond, Washington.
The partnership with Lake Washington Institute of Technology includes a satellite technician certificate program that will prepare students for careers in aerospace assembly and manufacturing, specifically for Project Kuiper. The program aims to create a pipeline of future satellite technicians to meet the evolving needs of the space and satellite sectors in the area. The certificate program will offer training in safety protocols, aerospace assembly skills, materials handling, electrical systems, emerging technologies, and industry-standard practices.
Amazon recently announced a new receiving and logistics facility in Everett, Washington, which will be the main delivery point for externally procured materials and goods for Project Kuiper. The facility is expected to create about 200 skilled technician jobs in the Everett area. The goal is to support full-rate satellite production for Project Kuiper, further solidifying the region’s reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation.
Project Kuiper is playing catch-up to SpaceX’s Starlink network, which has been providing high-speed internet access for over 2.7 million subscribers in more than 70 countries. Amazon plans to launch a constellation of 3,232 satellites for Project Kuiper, with half of them expected to be in orbit by mid-2026 and the rest by 2029. The program aims to deploy enough satellites by the end of 2024 to begin offering demonstrations to early enterprise customers.
The Lake Washington technician training program offers two certification tracks that can be completed in two semesters, focusing on aerospace assembly specialist and aerospace manufacturing. The coursework includes safety protocols, materials handling, electrical systems, emerging technologies, and industry-standard practices. Amazon has helped develop the program and coursework, donated tools for classroom use, and will provide guest lecturers. This collaboration aligns with Amazon’s Career Choice program, which offers prepaid education and skills training programs for hourly warehouse employees.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology is working closely with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to provide real-world training for satellite technicians to enter the rapidly growing space industry. The partnership is seen as a valuable opportunity for students to gain practical experience and skills in aerospace assembly and manufacturing. The program aims to support the needs of Project Kuiper and the broader space and satellite sectors, contributing to the region’s reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation.
