Innovation and Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering

Transform the Future of Global Logistics - Join World Wide Design Engineering!

Imagine managing the design of the next generation of fulfillment centers that power Amazon's global supply chain. We're seeking an innovative engineer who thrives on turning complex challenges into practical solutions. If you're energized by the intersection of robotics, automation, and advanced material handling technologies, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Based in our growing hub in Nashville, you'll join a dynamic team revolutionizing how Amazon moves products around the world.

You'll own the complete design journey - from initial concept through final approval - creating sophisticated solutions for our inbound supply chain, fulfillment, and distribution networks. As the technical authority for your projects, you'll collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to transform ideas into reality. Once designs are approved, you'll partner with our Ops Engineering team to ensure successful installation and launch.

Your canvas will be diverse - from building new facilities from the ground up (green-field) to modernizing existing operations (brown-field) and strategic retrofits. You'll design fulfillment centers, cross-dock facilities, specialty sites for reverse logistics and hazmat, plus ground and air transportation hubs across North America and Europe. Some projects will follow proven templates while others will require completely fresh approaches.

You'll join a team of exceptionally talented engineers who thrive on innovation. We manage hundreds of high-impact projects annually in a fast-paced environment where ambiguity is embraced as opportunity. This role offers immense growth potential as you tackle challenges that directly impact millions of customer experiences.

We're looking for someone who takes ownership, drives results, and is eager to help shape the future of global logistics. If you're ready to make your mark on one of the world's most sophisticated supply chain networks, we want to talk to you.

Key job responsibilities
Program Management & Executive Leadership
- Manage comprehensive program management for complex, multi-site initiatives
- Oversee $100MM+ capital projects, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment
- Develop finance breakdowns, budget management strategies, and executive-level reporting to Level 10+ leadership
- Develop executive-level reporting on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies
- Translate technical complexities into business impacts for senior leadership decision-making
- Make strategic decisions with leadership on resource allocation and project prioritization
- Establish timelines and critical path milestones for successful project delivery

Core Design Engineering Responsibilities
- Manage mechanical design for FC systems throughout the entire development lifecycle
- Develop comprehensive design specifications for automated handling equipment, packaging systems, and robotics solutions
- Execute and validate engineering calculations to ensure operational performance requirements are met
- Conduct thorough technical analyses to enhance facility layouts and optimize material flow pathways
- Spearhead design initiatives for complex automation

Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, and support career development coaching.
- Support interview process and provide hiring recommendations for junior engineering positions to the team.

Ownership
- Establish and maintain functional standards across engineering disciplines
- Own end-to-end functional processes within design engineering domain
- Ensure functional alignment with broader organizational goals and strategies

Project Management Functions
- Simultaneously manage multiple multi-million dollar projects across diverse facility types and complexity levels.
- Manage budgets for launching new facilities, including capital expenditure and operational costs
- Function as the lead technical liaison between equipment vendors and internal Amazon teams
- Facilitate design reviews while ensuring all solutions adhere to Amazon's rigorous standards
- Oversee project timelines and deliverables with flexibility to accommodate shifting business priorities
- Create detailed timelines for launch activities with clear dependencies and critical paths

Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Engage with diverse teams including Operations, Construction, Controls Engineering, and Finance
- Provide technical support during installation and commissioning phases to Operations Engineering and Execution teams
- Work jointly with suppliers to create innovative efficiency-enhancing solutions
- Offer technical expertise to resolve implementation challenges

Asset Procurement & Vendor Management
- Lead procurement strategies for critical facility equipment and systems
- Evaluate vendor proposals and negotiate technical specifications and commercial terms
- Develop and maintain relationships with key equipment suppliers and service providers
- Ensure procurement activities align with project timelines and budgetary constraints

Innovation Leadership
- Recognize opportunities for design standardization and scalability
- Assist in developing new design frameworks and operational best practices
- Maintain awareness of industry advancements in automation and material handling technologies
- Facilitate knowledge transfer across Amazon's global engineering network

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance
- Verify all designs meet relevant building codes, safety regulations, and Amazon standards
- Lead comprehensive design reviews and risk assessment processes
- Maintain meticulous technical documentation
- Confirm implemented solutions match approved design specifications

** Travel Requirements: Position requires regular site visits (approximately 25%) and occasional international travel. **


A day in the life
Design automated material handling systems that efficiently move products through our fulfillment centers. A typical day includes brainstorming solutions and concepts, completing detailed design reviews and audits, reviewing equipment specifications and vendor drawing packages for approvals, and validating system throughput calculations. Work closely with equipment suppliers to refine designs and ensure solutions meet our requirements for safety, reliability, and performance.

Collaborate with key internal partners including Operations, Construction, Controls Engineering, Finance, and Launch teams to deliver comprehensive solutions. Partner with external stakeholders such as equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and building architects to execute designs.

Manage multiple concurrent projects at different stages - from concept development through installation and commissioning. Focus on optimizing material flow, scaling for peak periods, and integrating new technologies while maintaining system reliability.

Success in this role comes from combining strong technical skills with effective stakeholder communication and the ability to drive decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Amazon offers a full range of benefits for you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:

1. Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan

If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience in Design/Innovation, research & development, manufacturing, process, industrial engineering, or related work
- Experience in management of engineering design projects
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- 3+ years of Design/Innovation, research & development, manufacturing, process, industrial engineering, or related experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Master's degree in Engineering (any domain) or foreign equivalent, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field
- Knowledge of concepts like system architecture, optimization, system dynamics, system analysis, statistical analysis, reliability analysis, and decision making
- Experience with complex automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, and systems and high-speed manufacturing
- Experience with design-in-safety
- Experience with process design based on Lean Principles

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.