Hardware Development Engineer, WWGS Robotics & Automation Systems

Hardware Development Engineer

Join Worldwide Grocery Store (WWGS), Robotics and Automation Systems (GRAS) Hardware and Systems team as we bridge advanced technology with operational excellence to revolutionize grocery automation at massive scale. As a Hardware Development Engineer, you'll design and validate innovative hardware solutions that directly impact Amazon's grocery fulfillment operations—lowering costs, increasing efficiency, and enhancing customer experience across millions of orders.

Why This Role is Exciting:

• Diverse Innovation Portfolio: Work on innovative systems spanning Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Robotic Arms, and many others.
• Real Impact at Scale: Your designs will directly influence Amazon's grocery automation strategy, affecting operational excellence and customer experience across the entire grocery fulfillment network.
• Technical Ownership: Design bespoke peripheral tools and solutions when commercial alternatives don't meet Amazon's unique needs—you'll explore commercially available solutions, analyze vendor designs, develop custom hardware, and critically evaluate vendor assertions.
• Autonomous Contribution: Work independently with limited guidance on difficult hardware engineering problems, making critical trade-offs and influencing component and system design decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers, Interdisciplinary Systems Engineers, Quality Engineers, vendors, and Amazon Robotics teams to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Growth-Oriented Culture: Join a team that values business impact over perfection, maintains healthy skepticism, and actively mentors engineers while providing clear paths for career advancement.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Hardware Design & Development: Design, develop, and test hardware and mechanical components for grocery automation systems with limited guidance. Research and recommend commercially available solutions, making informed trade-offs between make vs. buy decisions. Develop bespoke peripheral tools when commercial alternatives don't meet operational requirements. Deliver CAD models, detailed drawings, test plans, trade studies, and technical documentation.
• Technical Analysis & Validation: Solve difficult hardware engineering problems across diverse automation systems including Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Autonomous Mobile Robots, and Robotic Arms. Critically evaluate vendor designs, analyzing material choices and mechanical approaches. Validate vendor performance claims through independent analysis and testing. Build and test prototypes using rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing techniques.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers, Interdisciplinary Systems Engineers, Quality Engineers, and vendors to deliver integrated solutions. Work with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure design feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Collaborate with Amazon Robotics teams on emerging technology integration. Communicate technical constraints clearly to stakeholders across the organization.
• Process Improvement & Mentorship: Optimize validation and test processes to enhance team productivity. Begin mentoring peers and training new team members. Participate in design reviews, scoping discussions, and hiring activities.

A Day in the Life

Your day might start reviewing CAD models for automation peripheral tools, then shift to design reviews with Systems Engineers discussing trade-offs for robotic solutions. You'll collaborate with Product Managers to translate business requirements into hardware specifications, analyze vendor proposals, and build prototypes using 3D printing or machining. Afternoons could involve testing components, troubleshooting design issues, or mentoring junior engineers. You'll partner with Quality Engineers, automation vendors, and Amazon Robotics teams to solve complex integration challenges across Amazon's grocery fulfillment network.

About the Team

The GRAS Hardware and Systems Team bridges advanced technology with operational excellence to maximize the value of physical grocery automation at Amazon. Our team of Hardware Development Engineers and Interdisciplinary Systems Engineers focuses on rigorous analysis, smart design decisions, and purpose-built solutions that ensure automation systems deliver lower costs, greater efficiency, and scalable operations. We prioritize business impact over perfection, maintain healthy skepticism toward vendor assertions, and engineer solutions resilient enough to withstand demanding warehouse environments. Join a collaborative team actively building capacity while tackling diverse projects across automated storage systems, robotic arms, and fresh food production automation.