Innovation and Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering

Amazon • Nashville, TN

1d • $94,300 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This role is for an innovative engineer to join the World Wide Design Engineering team in Nashville, focusing on transforming Amazon's global supply chain. The position involves managing the design of next-generation fulfillment centers, leveraging robotics, automation, and advanced material handling technologies. The engineer will own the complete design journey from concept to final approval for inbound supply chain, fulfillment, and distribution networks, collaborating with suppliers and internal teams. Projects will include designing new facilities (green-field), modernizing existing operations (brown-field), and strategic retrofits for various facility types across North America and Europe. The role requires tackling hundreds of high-impact projects annually in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, offering significant growth potential. A typical day involves brainstorming solutions, conducting detailed design reviews, auditing, reviewing equipment specifications and vendor drawings, and validating system throughput calculations. The engineer will work closely with equipment suppliers and internal partners like Operations, Construction, Controls Engineering, Finance, and Launch teams to deliver comprehensive solutions, focusing on optimizing material flow, scaling for peak periods, and integrating new technologies while maintaining system reliability. Success hinges on strong technical skills, effective stakeholder communication, and the ability to drive decisions.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Maternity and Parental Leave Options
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) Plan
• 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: Senior