Senior Mechanical/Thermal Engineer, Network Product Development (NPD)

Socket.dev; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Sr. Mechanical/Thermal Engineer to own the mechanical and thermal design of network devices and racks for AWS Infrastructure Services. You will perform CAD modeling, thermal simulations, and validation across switch, module, and rack levels.

Collaborate with electrical, firmware, manufacturing, and supply chain teams; develop test plans, qualification methods, and design packages; drive root-cause analysis and continuous improvement. On-site in Seattle, WA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years hardware design and validation of components, subsystems and systems experience.
• Experience in 3D CAD
• 2+ years of experience working with ODM/JDM/CM suppliers in a product development environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze thermal and mechanical requirements for network platforms and rack assemblies through collaboration with cross-functional disciplines (electrical, firmware, manufacturing, supply chain).
• Conceive and develop trade studies on thermal solutions including heatsink geometries, fan curves, airflow paths, liquid cooling, and TIM selections.
• Create and iterate detailed 3D CAD models of mechanical and thermal designs — enclosures, sheet metal, heatsinks, fan assemblies, cable management, and rack mounting.
• Perform thermal simulations (CFD) and mechanical analyses (classical and FEA) for all load conditions and compliance.
• Develop test plans throughout development with variable isolation DOEs and statistical analysis for long-term reliability assessments.
• Define qualification plans and identify acceptance testing methods appropriate for volume production.
• Produce complete design packages — detailed drawings, analysis reports, BOMs, and assembly documentation.
• Drive root cause analysis on field failures and work with operations to improve quality processes.

Skills

Thermal management

Mechanical design

CFD analysis

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Job description

This role is for a highly innovative and hands-on engineer with the ability and drive to design, analyze, and qualify the mechanical and thermal systems that power AWS's next-generation network hardware. You will own the mechanical and thermal design of network devices and racks, from identifying requirements and simulation to building prototypes and driving designs into volume production. This is a hands-on role that requires a self-starter with deep expertise in thermal management and mechanical analysis, and the ability to drive multiple design iterations while diligently converging on the simplest, most reliable, and most cost-effective solution that satisfies the requirements.

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we're looking for talented people who want to help.

You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and reliability while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.

As a Sr. Mechanical/Thermal Engineer within the Network Product Development (NPD) team, you will directly shape how AWS's network infrastructure is built and cooled — at switch, module, and rack level.

Key job responsibilities

• Identify and analyze thermal and mechanical requirements for network platforms and rack assemblies through collaboration with cross-functional disciplines (electrical, firmware, manufacturing, supply chain).
• Conceive and develop trade studies on thermal solutions — including heatsink geometries, fan curves, airflow paths, liquid cooling, and TIM selections — balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Create and iterate detailed 3D CAD models of mechanical and thermal designs — enclosures, sheet metal, heatsinks, fan assemblies, cable management, and rack mounting.
• Perform thermal simulations (CFD) and mechanical analyses (classical and FEA — static, dynamic, thermal stress, vibration, shock) for all load conditions and compliance.
• Develop test plans throughout development with variable isolation DOEs and statistical analysis for long-term reliability assessments.
• Define qualification plans and identify acceptance testing methods appropriate for volume production.
• Produce complete design packages — detailed drawings, analysis reports, BOMs, and assembly documentation.
• Drive root cause analysis on field failures and work with operations to improve quality processes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years of hardware design and validation of components, subsystems and systems experience
• Experience in 3D CAD
• 2+ years of experience working with ODM/JDM/CM suppliers in a product development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production
• Knowledge of mechanical systems in critical Data Center operations including but not limited to CRAC/CRAHs/AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, storage tanks, chemical systems, heat exchangers, piping systems, pumps, valves, duct systems, fans, or dampers
• Experience with high-power electronics cooling (network switches, servers, or similar platforms with 1000W+ components) using air and liquid cooling
• Expertise in debugging and troubleshooting mechanical and thermal issues in deployed hardware.

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.

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

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.

USA, CA, Cupertino - 183,000.00 - 247,600.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually