Senior Cloud Hardware Engineer, Mechanical, Network Product Development - Optics

Do you like to apply deep hardware engineering expertise to deliver simple, sustainable, and scalable solutions for large networks? Would you like to play a key role in driving the stability and efficiency of next-generation network infrastructure, starting from the silicon up?

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we're looking for talented people who want to help.

You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.

We are looking for a Sr. Cloud Hardware Development Engineer (CHDE) with mechanical engineering expertise to join our Network Product Development (NPD) team. In this role, you will enable the components that form the backbone of AWS network interconnect. You will perform high-quality design, development, validation, and sustaining engineering of component, modules, and systems for high-speed applications, working closely with design teams, manufacturing partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver robust solutions at scale.


Key job responsibilities
Cloud Hardware Development Engineers (CHDE) with a mechanical engineering focus perform high quality mechanical design, thermal management, packaging, and design for manufacturing (DFM) of optical modules and systems for AWS networking. They work closely with design teams, manufacturing partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver robust, manufacturable, and thermally optimized optical module solutions.

- Collaborate with vendors/manufacturers to evaluate new mechanical and thermal design approaches, materials, and assembly processes for optical modules.
- Develop and execute mechanical and thermal designs for optical modules and systems, including structural analysis, tolerance stack-up, and enclosure/housing design.
- Perform thermal simulation and validation to ensure optical modules meet thermal performance requirements across all operating conditions.
- Develop and automate test plans for structural verification, thermal characterization, mechanical reliability, and environmental qualification of optical modules.
- Collaborate with vendors/manufacturers in defining and developing mechanical and thermal test plans to validate designs through prototyping and production.
- Drive design for manufacturing (DFM) initiatives, working with operations teams to improve manufacturing yields, optimize assembly processes, and reduce cost.
- Work with operations teams in identifying quality issues, improving manufacturing yields, and optimizing RMA processes for optical module hardware.


A day in the life
On an everyday basis as part of our team, you have the unique opportunity to understand the growing AWS network and our internal customers’ requirement on interconnect solutions and their components. You'll work backwards to devise hardware solutions by influencing the broad industry and/or to develop tools with sister teams to maintain a highly available network that delights AWS customers. You design and implement processes and mechanisms that both help the team to deliver business impact to the organization in a systemic way, while also helping to raise the bar on our operational excellence.
Operating at the scale we do, there is no blueprint for how to do what we do, which encourages our engineers to identify and develop simple solutions to complex problems. We encourage durable solutions that look around corners while taking into consideration our customer needs from a cost, performance, and reliability perspective.

About the team
Within AWS Networking the NPD (Network Product Development) organization is responsible for, designing the hardware, building the software, and owning the interconnects for the routers that power the global AWS network. Beyond product delivery we actively manage the fleet or routers in a network that grows by 70% annually. This means tracking key business and operational metrics to ensure that we operate smoothly and minimize or eliminate customer impact due to device related issues for a transparent AWS customer experience.

Working at AWS in the Core Networking Team
- Meet Matt, VP, Core Networking --- https://youtu.be/DqTStjRtjX4
- Meet Kensie, Network Development Engineer --- https://youtu.be/ezF3kpUAhWU

About AWS
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

EEO/Accommodations
AWS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace to deliver the best results for our customers. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status; we celebrate the diverse ways we work. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please let us know and we will connect you to our accommodation team. You may also reach them directly by visiting please https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.

Basic Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
- 8+ years of work experience in mechanical design for hardware systems and components.
- 8+ years of experience with thermal simulation and test validation.
- 4+ years of experience developing and automating validation testbeds for thermal and mechanical characterization.
- 4+ years of data analysis and presenting data-driven deep dives on thermal and mechanical design.
- 2+ years of experience working on manufacturing processes and qualifications.
- 1+ years of professional development experience with Python or a similar scripting language for automation scripting.

Preferred Qualifications

- PhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, physics or equivalent
- In-depth expertise in optical module mechanical and thermal design and development.
- Expertise in debugging and troubleshooting hardware.
- Experience with thermal simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloTHERM, COMSOL) and mechanical CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo).
- Experience working with ODM and CM suppliers of optical modules.
- Experience in the product development lifecycle.
- Ability to innovate or invent hardware solutions to business problems.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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, CA, Cupertino - 183,000.00 - 247,600.00 USD annually