Advanced Robotics Mechanical Engineer, Frontier AI & Robotics

Job description

Description
About the Role:

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for building complex robotic systems from the ground up.

This role is ideal for someone with a deep understanding of structural and electromechanical design, who thrives in hands-on environments and has experience taking high-performance robots from concept to production.

You will work on the mechanical architecture of advanced robotics platforms, including high degree-of-freedom systems, where considerations such as actuator selection, thermal constraints, cabling, sensing integration, and manufacturability are critical.

This is a cross-disciplinary role requiring close collaboration with electrical, controls, software, and AI research teams.

What You Bring:

* A systems-thinking mindset with a strong grasp of cross-domain engineering tradeoffs.
* A bias toward action: comfortable building, testing, and iterating rapidly.
* A collaborative and communicative working style — especially in multi-disciplinary research environments.
* A passion for robotics and advancing the state of the art in intelligent, capable machines.

Key job responsibilities
* Lead mechanical design of robotic subsystems and full platforms, including structures, joints, enclosures, and mechanisms.
* Specify and integrate actuators and motors for high-torque density applications in high-degree-of-freedom systems.
* Design and route cabling and wire harnesses, ensuring reliability, serviceability, and thermal/electrical integrity.
* Contribute to thermal management strategies for motors, sensors, and embedded compute hardware.
* Integrate sensors such as lidar, stereo cameras, IMUs, tactile sensors, and compute modules into compact, functional assemblies.
* Prototype and test mechanical systems; support hands-on builds, debug sessions, and field testing.
* Conduct root cause analysis on system-level failures or performance issues and implement design improvements.
* Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to transition prototypes into scalable builds (10s–100s of units).
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams in electrical, controls, software, and AI research to meet research and product goals.

About the team
Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR) is the team at Amazon building the next generation of embodied intelligence.

FAR drives the development and implementation of advanced AI models within Amazon’s operations that enable robots to see, reason, and act on the world around them, supporting a number of different warehouse automation tasks.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
- 6 to 10 years in designing mechanical systems for robotics or complex electromechanical products.
- Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, OnShape, or equivalent).
- Significant hands-on experience building prototypes, integrating hardware, and troubleshooting mechanical/electromechanical issues.
- Deep understanding of actuator and motor selection for complex robotic applications, including sizing for torque, speed, and thermal performance.
- Experience with wire/cable harness design and routing in compact mechanical systems.
- Familiarity with integrating sensing and compute elements into mechanical designs.
- Solid knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and exposure to volume production (50+ units).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working on robotic manipulators or high-DOF electromechanical systems.
- Exposure to designing, testing and validation for compliance (design for safety) and environmental factors (thermal, vibration, ingress protection, etc.).
- Experience with structural analysis practices and tools (e.g. FEA/Ansys), thermal analysis, and material selection.
- Basic familiarity with controls or embedded system concepts for integrated design work.
- Experience with formal engineering documentation and design review processes in a corporate R&D setting.

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

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies.

Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position.

These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.

If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information.

If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets.

The base pay for this position ranges from $128,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $213,600/year in our highest geographic market.

Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Amazon is a total compensation company.

Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits .

This position will remain posted until filled.

Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

Required Skill Profession

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