Principal Structural Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering

Amazon; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer for AWS data center design and construction. You will lead cross-functional teams across civil, mechanical, electrical, and safety disciplines to ensure world-class uptime and cost-effective facilities.

The role requires extensive experience in mission-critical facilities, advanced structural knowledge, and the ability to communicate complex decisions to Senior Management. Location includes Seattle, WA with global collaboration.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer License is required.
• 12 years of design experience in mission-critical facilities.
• Experience researching new designs, technologies, and construction methods for data centers.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Detailed understanding of structural systems, seismic design, snow loading, and building envelopes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight and governance of the global Basis of Design (BOD).
• Lead special projects with impact on AWS infrastructure design and environmental footprint.
• Serve as technical educator within Amazon teams supporting DC designs.
• Define building requirements and act as a technical source for all structural attributes.
• Decompose complex issues into actionable solutions and drive mitigation.
• Develop strategic prototypical building solutions and drive value engineering and standardization.
• Advise on foundation, superstructure options, and structural calculations for DC projects.
• Host and lead technical meetings to generate innovative, sustainable solutions.
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with building codes.

Skills

Structural engineering

Seismic design

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Structural Engineering

Professional Engineer License

Tools

IBC/IFC knowledge

OSHA regulations

Job description

Description

Amazon Web Service (AWS) operates 123 Availability Zones (AZs) within 39 geographic Regions around the world. Amazon's AWS Data Centers (DCs) are a major component of worldwide cloud-computing infrastructure and are industry leading examples of critical facilities.

Architects and Engineers in AWS work to design resilient, cost-effective DC facilities. We are responsible for achieving a world-class uptime for our customers and drive to develop a fleet of buildings emphasizing security, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness, while finding new ways to meet AWS’s growing demand. We justify and communicate the technical decisions we make to AWS leadership and work hard to drive continuous advancements in our designs. As an Architect/Engineer at AWS you will have the opportunity to impact changes in our current design, as well as establish design procedures and protocols for future systems.

As a Principal Structural Engineer you are a leader in your field, collaborating with and leading the work of cross-functional teams including: technical program management, product management, architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, supply chain management, operations, safety, security, finance, and legal. You will participate in external forums/consortiums to understand current trends and developments within the industry. Additionally, you will be a leader for global structural design strategy and development. This role will communicate the technical decisions we make to Senior Management and will drive continuous improvements with our designs.

Key job responsibilities

The Principal Structural Engineer will be responsible for the following:

• Provide technical oversight and governance of the global Basis of Design (BOD).




• Conceives, initiates, and leads special projects with widespread impact on AWS infrastructure design, environmental footprint, and implementation time.




• Be a leader and technical educator within internal and external Amazon teams supporting our existing DCs and ongoing planning, design and construction projects.




• Collaborate with internal partner teams to define building requirements and be a technical source for all building structural attributes.




• Decompose complex structural issues relating to existing buildings or projects in construction into straightforward and actionable solutions and drive resolution of mitigation measures.




• Develop strategic prototypical building solutions which meet or exceed our quality requirements and drive value engineering and standardization of interior infrastructure support systems, building superstructure, and cladding systems.




• Serve as a technical advisor for AWS DC design projects including; review of foundation and structural systems, evaluating superstructure design options, and assessing structural calculation assumptions.




• Maintain and host collaborative technical meetings to provide a venue for generating innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions for global deployment.




• Collaborate with local regulatory agencies and certification agencies to ensure compliance with federal, state and municipal requirements and building codes.

About the team

The Design Quality Assurance (DQA) team is a team within AWS Design Engineering Americas (DE-AMER) focused on ensuring quality and consistency across data center designs at scale. The team standardizes design execution for new products and innovations, maintains technical communications, drives continuous improvement of design documents, and serves as the primary DE liaison with product/solutions teams. Staffed by principal and senior level SMEs across core disciplines, the DQA team shepherds first-article designs, facilitates technology intercepts, and mentors the broader DE organization to prevent errors from propagating across the fleet.

Basic Qualifications

• Professional Engineer License




• 12 years of design experience




• 10 years of mission critical facilities experience




• Experience researching new designs, technologies, and construction methods of data center equipment and facilities




• Experience performing complex business case analysis to justify technical decisions and presenting the justification to management in a high-level review




• Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities




• Detailed understanding of structural systems, seismic design, snow loading, building forensic analysis, building envelope design.




• Proficiency in international building codes and regulations including IBC, IFC, and OSHA.




• Ability and willingness to think outside of the box to find creative and innovative solutions to reduce costs with no impact on quality, reliability, or maintainability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Structural Engineering




• Experience in data center design, construction, operations, or facility maintenance




• Detailed understanding of building construction, forensic analysis of building design and construction defects, and evaluating value engineering for building super structure.




• Basic understanding of electrical and mechanical system components and designs.

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.

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.

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. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, OH, COLUMBUS – 162,500.00 – 219,900.00 USD annually

USA, TX, Austin – 162,500.00 – 219,900.00 USD annually

USA, VA, Herndon – 162,500.00 – 219,900.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle – 162,500.00 – 219,900.00 USD annually