Innovation and Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering

About the role

Join World Wide Design Engineering to manage the design of next-generation fulfillment centers that power Amazon's global supply chain. Based in Nashville, you'll own the complete design journey—from initial concept through final approval—creating sophisticated solutions for 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 Ops Engineering to ensure successful installation and launch.

Your canvas will be diverse: building new facilities from the ground up (green-field), modernizing existing operations (brown-field), strategic retrofits, 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 follow proven templates; others require completely fresh approaches.

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
• 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

Basic qualifications

• 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

Preferred qualifications

• 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

Pay

USA, TN, Nashville: 94,300.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually. Your package will also include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits

Amazon offers a full range of benefits for you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, hours worked, length of employment, and job status. Benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:

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

Schedule & travel

Position requires regular site visits (approximately 25%) and occasional international travel.