EtherCAT Controls Hardware Architect

Amazon Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 117,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Amazon.com LLC is seeking an experienced Hardware Development Engineer to lead industrial controls network architecture across its global fulfillment center network. You will standardize EtherCAT-based architectures, focus on topology, device selection, safety integration, and scalability.

The role collaborates with Controls Software, WWDE, Operations Engineering, and suppliers to deliver robust, maintainable architectures and to drive continuous improvement of specifications, BOMs, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related fields
• 4+ years of experience in industrial controls hardware design, industrial network architecture, or automation hardware development
• Experience designing and deploying industrial Ethernet or fieldbus networks (e.g., EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET)
• Experience selecting, specifying, and integrating industrial field devices such as I/O, drives, sensors, and safety devices
• Experience creating or reviewing electrical and controls drawings, network diagrams, and device schedules
• Knowledge of NEC/NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and UL 508A as applied to control panels and field wiring

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the OneMHS EtherCAT controls architecture, including topology, ring and cable-redundancy design, segmentation, and device-order rules
• Develop architecture diagrams, and network topology drawings, and establish network design limits such as device counts per segment, cycle-time and latency budgets, and safety-connection capacity
• Define addressing, naming, and identification standards for devices, ports, and cables
• Establish network diagnostics, fault isolation, and troubleshooting practices for operations and maintenance teams
• Select, specify, and qualify controls hardware for the architecture, including industrial PCs, couplers, I/O, MDR controllers, VFDs, IO-Link masters and devices, safety devices, scanners, sensors, and controls power supplies
• Own the approved component list, including exact part numbers, firmware/hardware revisions, and device profiles
• Evaluate new and alternate components for technical fit, compliance (e.g., UL, Class 2/LVLE), cost, availability, and lifecycle risk
• Partner with suppliers on technical requirements, certification status, product roadmaps, and obsolescence management
• Develop substitution and change-approval criteria for vendors and integration partners
• Define the integration of safety devices and safety-over-fieldbus (e.g., FSoE) into the controls architecture
• Establish safety-controller allocation, safety-zone, and E-stop integration rules in coordination with Safety and Controls teams
• Support compliance with applicable functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 62061)
• Build and maintain test benches and lab environments to validate devices, topologies, and failure modes
• Lead prototype testing, interoperability testing, and production-readiness validation of new hardware and architectures
• Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and commissioning of controls hardware
• Author and maintain controls architecture specifications, device integration requirements, and cabling standards
• Define vendor deliverables for controls hardware, including device schedules, topology drawings, and bills of material
• Review integrator and OEM designs for compliance with OneMHS architecture and component standards
• Drive continuous improvement of specification templates and documentation for scaled deployment
• Ensure controls hardware designs comply with NEC/NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL 508A, and applicable IEC standards
• Serve as subject matter expert on industrial networking, controls hardware, and low-voltage controls requirements
• Conduct design reviews and audits to identify compliance gaps and safety risks
• Stay current with EtherCAT Technology Group guidance, industry standards, and regulatory changes
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and designers
• Lead design reviews for controls architecture and hardware at site and program levels
• Collaborate with Controls Software, Operations, Facilities, Construction, WWDE, and Safety teams
• Build consensus across stakeholders, suppliers, and integration partners on architecture decisions

Skills

Industrial network design

Controls hardware integration

Device selection

Electrical schematics reading

Safety standards knowledge

Vendor collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

EtherCAT

Industrial PCs

I/O devices

Safety communication protocols

Job description

Amazon.com LLC is seeking an experienced Hardware Development Engineer to lead industrial controls network architecture across its global fulfillment center network. You will standardize EtherCAT-based architectures, focus on topology, device selection, safety integration, and scalability.

The role collaborates with Controls Software, WWDE, Operations Engineering, and suppliers to deliver robust, maintainable architectures and to drive continuous improvement of specifications, BOMs, and