Innovation and Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering

Amazon•Nashville, TN

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, engineering technology or equivalent, or 5+ years of Amazon experience
Experience using business or technical software like MS Excel, MS Project, and CAD software
Travel up to 25% of the time
2+ years in Design/Innovation Engineering, Manufacturing/Process/Industrial Engineering, or related
Experience must involve ownership/management of engineering design projects involving Material Handling Equipment (MHE)

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
Oversee work quality and output of junior engineers, ensuring alignment with project requirements.
Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
Provide constructive feedback and performance evaluations to support professional growth.
Establish and maintain functional standards across engineering disciplines
Own end-to-end functional processes within design engineering domain
Drive continuous improvement of functional capabilities and methodologies
Serve as the ultimate escalation point for functional issues and technical challenges
Ensure functional alignment with broader organizational goals and strategies
Simultaneously manage multiple multi-million dollar projects across diverse facility types and complexity levels.
Drive end-to-end site launch processes, coordinating all technical aspects of facility deployment
Design and optimize operational layouts to maximize efficiency and throughput.
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

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

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume