Automation Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering

Amazon Web Services' Hardware Engineering team is looking for experienced professionals to help build the world's premier cloud computing platform. The Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering team designs, validates, and deploys automation solutions, including robotics, cobots, vision inspection, AI-powered quality systems, and automated assembly workflows, across contract manufacturer sites worldwide.

About the Role: You will own the mechanical design IP that every automation cell depends on, including fixtures, jigs, end-of-arm tooling, grippers, and custom mechanical interfaces between robots and product components. Every cobot needs tooling. Every station needs fixtures. Every platform changeover needs quick-change adapters. You define the mechanical design architecture and reuse strategy: modular fixture libraries, cross-platform EOAT standards, and design-for-reuse principles that ensure mechanical hardware scales across all platforms and contract manufacturer sites without redesign. You independently lead mechanical design vendors and own the fixture/tooling IP library that is core to AWS's automation replication strategy.

The scope covers all server and rack assembly across all architectures and platforms, including compute, AI/ML accelerators, storage, and networking. The team designs intelligent, predictive-analytics-driven production systems where every station is sensor-driven, AI-optimized, and self-correcting, turning assembly lines into programmable, data-generating platforms that scale capacity without scaling headcount. This role requires the engineer to operate in a fast-paced, multi-platform international manufacturing environment with travel to contract manufacturer sites (up to 25-30% travel anticipated).


Key job responsibilities
• Define mechanical design architecture: fixture library standards, tools and fixture reuse strategy, modular design principles
• Design fixtures, jigs, and work-holding devices for automated assembly operations
• Design tools and fixtures: custom grippers, vacuum end-effectors, tool changers per application
• Create 3D CAD models for cell mechanical integration (robot mounting, conveyor interfaces, part presentation)
• Own and maintain design library of validated fixtures/tools for cross-platform reuse
• Lead mechanical design vendors through specification, evaluation, and acceptance
• Prototype and validate mechanical designs through rapid iteration (3D printing, machining)
• Design pick-point interfaces between automation equipment and server components


About the team
About the team: The Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering team is building a centralized automation Center of Excellence that owns the process specification and IP for how AWS hardware gets assembled. The team is responsible for engineering, defining automated process requirements, designing and proving solutions at proof-of-concept, and maintaining AWS-owned intellectual property that scales globally. The team works within a collaborative framework across Hardware Engineering (product design for automation), Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering (process specification and validation), and Manufacturing Operations (deployment and scaling), ensuring automation is engineered once, proven once, and deployed everywhere.

Basic Qualifications

- BS degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
- 7+ years designing fixtures, tooling, or end-of-arm tooling for automated systems
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo)
- Experience with tolerance analysis and GD&T
- Knowledge of manufacturing materials and fabrication processes (e.g., machining, 3D printing, sheet metal)
- Experience designing for precision assembly (tight tolerances, repeatable positioning)
- Experience defining mechanical design standards for multi-site replication

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with precision measurement and inspection devices (e.g., calipers, micrometers, profilometers, CMM)
- Rapid prototyping and design iteration experience
- Experience with robot integration (mounting, payload considerations, reach envelope)
- Multi-platform fixture design (e.g., quick-change, modular, recipe-based)
- Vacuum gripper and force-limited end-effector design
- Electronics or precision hardware manufacturing environment
- Experience leading mechanical design vendors and managing fixture IP libraries

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, KY, Cincinnati - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Houston - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, UT, Salt Lake City - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually