Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering

About the Role

Amazon Web Services’ Hardware Engineering team is looking for experienced professionals to help build the world’s premier cloud computing platform. Our Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering team designs, validates, and deploys automation solutions — robotics, cobots, vision inspection, AI-powered quality systems, and automated assembly workflows — across contract manufacturer sites worldwide. You will architect the controls backbone and intelligent inspection strategy that makes every automated station self-verifying.

This means defining how PLCs, sensors, cameras, AOI algorithms, and MES data connections integrate across every automation cell — creating a standardized, replicable controls and inspection package that deploys across all CM sites without re-engineering. You combine deep expertise in machine vision (AI-based defect classification, force sensing, AOI model training) with industrial controls architecture (PLC platforms, safety systems, network protocols).

Your work turns a mechanical robot into an intelligent quality gate — catching defects at the point of assembly rather than at test or in the datacenter.

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).

• Architect controls standard for all automation cells: PLC platform selection, network protocol, sensor architecture, safety system design
• Develop and optimize AOI inspection programs per product — validated, version-controlled, transferable across sites
• Drive false call rate reduction through iterative program tuning and AI-assisted defect classification
• Design sensor integration architecture connecting automation equipment to MES (iFactory) for 100% digital traceability
• Create standardized controls packages (PLC logic + HMI + sensor configs) replicable across all CM sites
• Perform equipment qualification, Gage R&R studies, and acceptance testing for vision/inspection systems
• Define controls safety architecture (E-stops, interlocks, light curtains) per ISO 13849 / IEC 62443
• Partner with Central Quality on inspection acceptance criteria and with MES teams on data integration requirements

• BS/MS Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or equivalent
• 5+ years in industrial controls AND machine vision/automated optical inspection
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff)
• Experience with machine vision platforms (Cognex, Keyence, Koh Young, or equivalent)
• Industrial networking (Ether Net/IP, Profinet, OPC-UA)
• Experience designing controls architecture for multi-site standardization

• AI/ML-based defect classification and computer vision model development
• 4+ years PLC/SCADA integration experience
• Experience with precision measurement and inspection devices (optical inspection, force sensors, automated gauging)
• MES integration experience (SAP MES, iFactory, or equivalent manufacturing execution systems)
• SPC implementation and statistical process control methods
• High-complexity electronics or precision hardware manufacturing
• Experience defining controls standards that replicate across multiple facilities without re-engineering

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Salary ranges: USA, KY, Cincinnati -  -  USD annually; USA, TX, Austin -  -  USD annually; USA, TX, Houston -  -  USD annually; USA, UT, Salt Lake City -  -  USD annually; USA, WA, Seattle -  -  USD annually. The base salary range for this position is listed. Your Amazon package includes sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and location.

Amazon offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance, Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave.