AmazonAutomation Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering
Amazon is hiring an Automation Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering in Houston, United States. It pays $159k-$215k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.
AI in this role
Architects control systems and automation infrastructure for global server assembly lines featuring AI-powered quality and robotics.
About the Role: You will define the controls and electrical systems architecture for all automated assembly lines, creating the standard control platform that scales across all platforms and all contract manufacturer sites. You own PLC programming standards, HMI development frameworks, safety system architecture, and industrial network design. You define how automated cells communicate with each other, with MES, and with data collection systems. You are the architect of the nervous system that connects every robot, sensor, actuator, and inspection system into a coordinated, data-generating production line. You establish reusable control system templates that ensure consistency and reduce deployment time globally.
The scope covers all server and rack assembly across all architectures and platforms, including compute, AI/ML accelerators, storage, and networking. The team designs intelligent, predictive-analytics-driven production systems where every station is sensor-driven, AI-optimized, and self-correcting, turning assembly lines into programmable, data-generating platforms that scale capacity without scaling headcount. This role requires the engineer to operate in a fast-paced, multi-platform international manufacturing environment with travel to contract manufacturer sites (up to 25-30% travel anticipated).
Key job responsibilities
• Define controls systems architecture: PLC programming standards, HMI frameworks, safety system design, network topology
• Design and program PLC-based control systems for automated assembly lines
• Develop standardized HMI interfaces for operator interaction and production monitoring
• Architect industrial network infrastructure (e.g., EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT) for automated lines
• Design safety system architecture per ISO 13849 and IEC 62443 (functional safety and cybersecurity)
• Create reusable control system templates and code libraries for global deployment standardization
• Define MES integration specifications and data exchange protocols between automation cells and enterprise systems
• Lead controls architecture reviews for automation projects and vendor-supplied systems
About the team
About the team: The Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering team is building a centralized automation Center of Excellence that owns the process specification and IP for how AWS hardware gets assembled. The team is responsible for engineering, defining automated process requirements, designing and proving solutions at proof-of-concept, and maintaining AWS-owned intellectual property that scales globally. The team works within a collaborative framework across Hardware Engineering (product design for automation), Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering (process specification and validation), and Manufacturing Operations (deployment and scaling), ensuring automation is engineered once, proven once, and deployed everywhere.
Basic qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
- 7+ years designing industrial control systems for automated manufacturing
- Proficiency in PLC programming (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Beckhoff TwinCAT)
- Experience with industrial safety system design (e.g., ISO 13849, safety PLCs, safety networks)
- Experience with industrial network protocols (e.g., EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, OPC-UA)
- Track record of defining control system standards for multi-site deployment
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with MES integration and manufacturing data exchange
- HMI/SCADA development experience (e.g., Ignition, WinCC, FactoryTalk)
- Industrial cybersecurity knowledge (e.g., IEC 62443)
- Experience with servo motion control and multi-axis coordination
- Electronics, server, or precision hardware manufacturing environment
- Experience leading controls design reviews for third-party automation systems
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)
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. 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, TX, Austin - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually
How we rate this
Automation Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Design & Engineering at Amazon rates 60 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where automation controls was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where electrical systems was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where robotics was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where industrial networks was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where safety systems was part of your work. What did you do?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Automation Controls, Electrical Systems, Robotics, Industrial Networks, and Safety Systems. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project — this role expects it to be a running habit.
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