Strategic Silicon & Tech Sourcing Principal, Networking Silicon

About the Role

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain. You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.

If you are an experienced professional with a passion for technology and hungry for driving change and impact at a Global scale you might be a fit for the Amazon Web Services (AWS) procurement team. Come armed with your knowledge for a position where you will own, build, and run technology sourcing and operations and engage with multiple business and engineering partners to drive plans and execution to satisfy the demanding needs of a high growth industry impacting markets worldwide. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives on optimizing operations, driving results and who wants to be accountable for a significant impact.

AWS Infrastructure Sourcing and Procurement team is looking for an experienced, Principal Technical Sourcing Manager to be part of the Networking team to lead strategic sourcing, technology road mapping, industry enabling and related project execution for components including Switch ASIC, other critical networking silicon and related platforms for our growing Infrastructure.

A Principal Technical Sourcing Manager in the Networking Category is a thought leader responsible for developing Sourcing Strategies and clear action plans to drive the lowest total cost of ownership fueling the exponential growth across our Data Centers as we meet and exceed customer demand. In this role you will lead internal engagements across Supply Chain, Engineering and Business organizations while diving deep into the technologies and operations both from a product and Supply Chain perspective. You will analyze trends involving the industry players – vendors, customers, and technology to develop strategies to reduce cost, minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and utilize emerging opportunities, allowing AWS to meet and exceed its goals.

Key Responsibilities

Silicon Sourcing Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies for custom and high-complexity silicon components
• Create and execute strategic sourcing plans aligned with product development timelines and business unit requirements
• Lead RFIs and sourcing engagements for silicon components, ensuring optimal supplier selection
• Analyze spending patterns and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities in silicon procurement

Technical & Supplier Management

• Serve as technical liaison between procurement and engineering teams for silicon-related matters
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models
• Influence suppliers' manufacturing processes and technology decisions for mutual benefit
• Develop and maintain risk mitigation plans for critical silicon components
• Champion sustainability initiatives within the silicon supply chain

Negotiation & Relationship Management

• Lead complex negotiations for silicon contracts, development agreements, and favorable terms
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key silicon vendors
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to align requirements and ensure feasible solutions
• Negotiate and implement supplier agreements working with legal and technical teams

Analysis & Market Intelligence

• Conduct thorough market analysis of silicon industry trends and competitive positioning
• Forecast future supply and demand for silicon components
• Develop lifecycle cost models considering total cost of ownership
• Maintain expertise in silicon component technology and manufacturing processes

Required Skills and Qualifications

Technical Expertise

• Strong technical understanding of silicon component technology and semiconductor manufacturing
• Experience in silicon supply chain management or operations
• Knowledge of device architecture and production processes

Business & Analytical Skills

• Proven analytical and critical thinking capabilities
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in cost modeling and financial analysis
• Ability to develop and execute strategic sourcing plans

Additional Requirements

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in technical environments
• Strong project management and communication skills
• Travel required (approximately 20%)
• Track record of successful supplier relationship management in the semiconductor industry

This role requires a unique combination of technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and relationship management skills to ensure a stable and cost-effective supply of silicon components for product development and production.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of developing, negotiating and executing business agreements experience
• 7+ years of professional or military experience
• 7+ years of working with Core Cloud Technology Services, including, but not limited to Compute, Edge, Hybrid, Security, and/or Networking experience
• 7+ years of working with Business Application Technologies, including, but not limited to End User Compute (EUC), Supply Chain, Contact Center as a Service, Consumer Data Applications, Encrypted Communications, and/or Communication Developer Services experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Healthcare/Life Sciences Industry experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Media & Entertainment Industry experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Global Financial Services Industry experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Telecommunications industry experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Automotive & Manufacturing industries experience
• 7+ years of solving problems with technology in the Energy & Utilities industries experience
• 7+ years of Go-To-Market, Business Development, Sales, or Consulting experience
• 7+ years of working with Advanced Compute technologies including, but not limited to: Accelerated Compute, High Performance Compute, Visual/Spatial Compute, and/or IoT experience
• 7+ years of working with Enterprise Application Modernization and Migration technologies, including, but not limited to, Mainframe, Serverless, Containers, or Cloud Operations experience
• 7+ years of working with Data & AI related technologies, including, but not limited to, AI/ML, GenAI, Analytics, Database, and/or Storage experience
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience developing strategies that influence leadership decisions at the organizational level
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Quantitative, Technical or quantitative field
• 6+ years of experience working with engineering teams to develop technology roadmaps and supporting sourcing strategies
• 6+ years of experience working with executive business partners both internally and externally to drive alignment to strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a founder or executive focused on related segments, or as a practice leader or business unit owner
• Experience selling to Fortune 1000 or Global 2000 organizations
• Experience with enterprise-scale infrastructure or development-based cloud programs/projects in a related industry
• Experience interpreting data and making business recommendations
• MBA or advanced degree
• Experience in the Enterprise Networking industry

A Day in the Life

You will be working closely with several business partners to manage the Networking Silicon business on a day to day basis, but will be heavily focused on mid and long-term technology sourcing strategies. You will partner closely with a very capable hardware engineering teams to devise sourcing and technology development plans to launch next generation networking hardware based on the silicon platforms you source. This will include interactions with hardware development teams, network design and deployment engineering teams, finance, legal, and others. You will also manage working and executive level supplier relationships with multiple silicon suppliers. You will be heavily focused on roadmap planning and execution against a technology migration strategy. You will work with closely with peers from your immediate core category team (GSM and PLM) to drive and execute a well-rounded category strategy (GCM = You, GSM = Global Supply Manager, PLM = Product Lifecycle Manager). You will leverage your expertise to build supplier relationships and architect agreements to support AWS' growing network. You will make responsible sourcing decisions that consider customer security, time to market, technology benefit, quality and cost.

About the Team

The Networking team is made up of global category managers (Procurement), supply chain managers (Supply Chain), product lifecycle managers (Lifecycle) and technical product/program managers (Automation/Tools) who manage the broad base of networking suppliers and internal amazon initiatives that help build the AWS cloud. We drive supply continuity, technology development and adoption, cost optimization, and internal supply chain systems development for networking categories (switches, optics, cables, DWDM, branded OEM, and strategic silicon). We are located throughout multiple regional hubs in the united states and work with suppliers and business partners globally. We are a mix of industry experts and those aspiring to grow our industry expertise. We all bring something valuable to the table from our unique backgrounds; we highlight and celebrate our diverse backgrounds and leverage them to our collective benefit as a team.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.