Hardware Manager, Electric Propulsion Systems, Prime Air

Socket.dev; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Prime Air is seeking an experienced Hardware Manager to lead the Electric Propulsion Systems team, responsible for the design, development, and production of propulsion subsystems powering the Prime Air drone.

You will manage a team of hardware engineers and research scientists, own the technical roadmap, and collaborate across software, flight sciences, systems engineering, and manufacturing to deliver reliable, certifiable propulsion systems at scale.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of new hardware products development experience.
• 7+ years of engineering team management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience in DFx (cost, test, manufacturing).
• Experience in project management of technical projects.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical direction and execution of electric propulsion hardware development.
• Hire, develop, and manage a high-performing hardware engineering team; provide mentorship and performance feedback.
• Define and drive the propulsion hardware roadmap aligned with Prime Air program milestones.
• Lead design reviews, trade studies, and risk assessments for propulsion subsystems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, flight sciences, manufacturing, and safety teams.
• Manage supplier and vendor relationships for key propulsion components; drive make-vs-buy decisions.
• Ensure designs meet safety, reliability, and certification requirements (e.g., DO‑160, DO‑254, FAA Part 135).
• Drive continuous improvement in design processes, test methodologies, and manufacturing readiness

Skills

Engineering management

Hardware development

Team leadership

Project management

DFx experience

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Prime Air is Amazon's drone delivery program, working to safely deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes or less. We are looking for an experienced Hardware Manager to lead the Electric Propulsion Systems team, responsible for the design, development, and production of key subsystems powering the Prime Air drone - including motors, batteries, charging infrastructure, and power distribution.

This is a people-manager role with direct reports. You will own the technical roadmap and execution for electric propulsion hardware, driving innovation while meeting fast program timelines. You'll collaborate across disciplines (software, flight sciences, systems engineering, manufacturing) to deliver reliable, certifiable propulsion systems at scale.

Key job responsibilities

• Own the technical direction and execution of electric propulsion hardware development.
• Hire, develop, and manage a high-performing team of hardware engineers and research scientists ; provide mentorship, career development, and performance feedback.
• Define and drive the propulsion hardware roadmap aligned with Prime Air program milestones.
• Lead design reviews, trade studies, and risk assessments for propulsion subsystems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, flight sciences, manufacturing, and safety teams.
• Manage supplier and vendor relationships for key propulsion components; drive make‑vs‑buy decisions.
• Ensure designs meet safety, reliability, and certification requirements (e.g., DO‑160, DO‑254, FAA Part 135).
• Drive continuous improvement in design processes, test methodologies, and manufacturing readiness

A day in the life

This role is responsible for managing the development of a portfolio of products.

Daily activities include deep diving into the designs and aiding the team in decision making process, working with the supply chain and quality engineering team to ensure the designs are manufacturable and planning and conducting the testing on these products.

As this is a developmental role it is also expected that this role will own the propulsion part of technical roadmap engaging with external organizations to identify and investigate new technologies.

About the team

This role is part of a larger team of hardware managers, systems engineers and technical program managers who own Prime Air's next generation drone designs.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of new hardware products development experience
• 7+ years of engineering team management experience
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
• Experience in engineering team management
• Experience in new hardware product development
• Experience in DFx (cost, test, manufacturing)
• Experience with the project management of technical projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Power Engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing products for large volume production
• Experience managing teams of 8+ engineers

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

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.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for 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. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, WA, Seattle - 151,000.00 - 204,300.00 USD annually