Automation Engineer Manager – Reliability & Maintenance Engineering

Job Description

Location: Rockville, VA
Salary: $162,800 – $220,200 USD annually

About the Role

Operations is at the heart of Amazon’s business. The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team drives continuous improvement and maintains all robotics and material handling equipment (MHE) to ensure our customers receive their orders with speed and accuracy.

We are seeking an Automation Engineer Manager to lead a team of engineers in maintaining and optimizing automation systems across fulfillment centers. You will mentor engineers, oversee troubleshooting of complex control systems, analyze performance metrics, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. You’ll work with cutting-edge technology, including conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print-and-apply systems, and SCADA platforms.

Through your leadership, you will enhance team capabilities, drive operational excellence, and ensure the seamless operation of automated systems that support millions of Amazon customers every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on troubleshooting and engineering issues, supporting automation engineers in root cause analysis and action planning to minimize downtime of critical assets.
• Program and maintain in-house built solutions using PLC or PC controllers and SCADA/OEE platforms.
• Maintain and troubleshoot material handling control systems, including PLC/PC controllers, industrial networks (Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus), motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Provide escalation support during and after business hours to ensure all hardware and controls software issues are resolved promptly.
• Establish training plans and mentor a team of automation engineers.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability and efficiency.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Automation Engineering, or 7+ years of relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation, and process/production environments.
• 7+ years of experience with PLC-controlled automation and robotics work cells.
• 7+ years of experience programming in Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or Codesys Ladder Logic/structured programming.
• 7+ years of expertise in electrical theory, robotics, control components, and automated equipment troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Automation Engineering.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
• Hands-on experience with RSLogix5000, Studio 5000, FT View, and other industrial control platforms.
• Experience leading Controls teams in complex industrial or manufacturing environments.

Why Amazon?

Amazon offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Basic and supplemental life & AD&D insurance
• Mental health and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) matching
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement