Hardware Development Engineer, WWGS Robotics & Automation Systems

Amazon • Seattle, WA

3d

About The Position

Join Worldwide Grocery Store (WWGS), Robotics and Automation Systems (GRAS)
Hardware and Systems team as we bridge advanced technology with operational
excellence to revolutionize grocery automation at massive scale. As a Hardware
Development Engineer, you'll design and validate innovative hardware solutions
that directly impact Amazon's grocery fulfillment operations—lowering costs,
increasing efficiency, and enhancing customer experience across millions of
orders.

Why This Role is Exciting:
- Diverse Innovation Portfolio: Work on innovative systems spanning Automated
Storage and Retrieval Systems, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Robotic Arms, and many
others.
- Real Impact at Scale: Your designs will directly influence Amazon's grocery
automation strategy, affecting operational excellence and customer experience
across the entire grocery fulfillment network.
- Technical Ownership: Design bespoke peripheral tools and solutions when
commercial alternatives don't meet Amazon's unique needs—you'll explore
commercially available solutions, analyze vendor designs, develop custom
hardware, and critically evaluate vendor assertions
- Autonomous Contribution: Work independently with limited guidance on difficult
hardware engineering problems, making critical trade-offs and influencing
component and system design decisions
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers,
Interdisciplinary Systems Engineers, Quality Engineers, vendors, and Amazon
Robotics teams to deliver high-quality solutions
- Growth-Oriented Culture: Join a team that values business impact over
perfection, maintains healthy skepticism, and actively mentors engineers while
providing clear paths for career advancement.

Requirements

• 4+ years of working in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience
• Experience with prototyping and implementation

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of SolidWorks simulation or Ansys Finite Element analysis tools
• Experience in the design of complex mechanical products and equipment at volume

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test hardware and mechanical components for grocery automation systems with limited guidance.
• Research and recommend commercially available solutions, making informed trade-offs between make vs. buy decisions.
• Develop bespoke peripheral tools when commercial alternatives don't meet operational requirements.
• Deliver CAD models, detailed drawings, test plans, trade studies, and technical documentation
• Solve difficult hardware engineering problems across diverse automation systems including Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Autonomous Mobile Robots, and Robotic Arms.
• Critically evaluate vendor designs, analyzing material choices and mechanical approaches.
• Validate vendor performance claims through independent analysis and testing.
• Build and test prototypes using rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing techniques.
• Partner with Product Managers, Interdisciplinary Systems Engineers, Quality Engineers, and vendors to deliver integrated solutions.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure design feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Amazon Robotics teams on emerging technology integration.
• Communicate technical constraints clearly to stakeholders across the organization.
• Optimize validation and test processes to enhance team productivity.
• Begin mentoring peers and training new team members.
• Participate in design reviews, scoping discussions, and hiring activities.

Benefits

• 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
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed