Automation Mechanical Engr, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering
About the Role
You will own the mechanical design IP that every automation cell depends on — 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. Our scope covers all server and rack assembly across all architectures and platforms — compute, AI/ML accelerators, storage, and networking. We design 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 (chassis, heatsinks, DIMMs)
About the Team
We are building a centralized automation Center of Excellence that owns the process specification and IP for how AWS hardware gets assembled. The Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering 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. We work 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/MS Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
- 7+ years designing fixtures, tooling, or end-of-arm tooling for automated systems
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent)
- Experience with tolerance analysis and GD&T
- Knowledge of manufacturing materials and fabrication processes (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 (calipers, micrometers, profilometers, CMM)
- Rapid prototyping and design iteration experience
- Experience with robot integration (mounting, payload considerations, reach envelope)
- Multi-platform fixture design (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
Pay
Base salary range: $159,200 – $215,300 USD annually, plus sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation determined by experience, qualifications, and location.
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