HW Development Engineer, AFT-Inbound

Amazon Fulfillment Technologies (AFT) builds and operates the software, hardware, and processes that power Amazon's global fulfillment network — moving millions of units daily and ensuring customers get what they ordered, when they were promised. Our environment is complex and spans industrial machines, and distributed systems across thousands of facilities worldwide. We constantly innovate by building custom hardware and applying machine learning, computer vision, and real-time data processing to automate and accelerate every step from click to delivery. We are looking for a Hardware Development Engineer to support next-gen industrial computer vision machines and automation solutions for AFT. In this role, you will be the hands-on technical link between engineering design and physical reality — executing component validation, building and configuring R&D test systems, and replicating field failures to drive root cause resolution. You will work across multiple concurrent hardware programs, collaborating with senior hardware engineers, software teams, and external vendors to keep development velocity high. You must be responsive, flexible, and able to succeed within a fast-paced, open collaborative R&D lab environment. Key job responsibilities Execute component validation campaigns (electrical, optical, mechanical) for sensors, cameras, IPCs, and lighting systems — including power characterization, signal integrity testing, environmental stress testing, and endurance burn-in Build and configure scan tunnels, towers, and test fixtures from mechanical drawings with precision assembly and sensor mounting Design and 3D-print custom test fixtures, alignment jigs, and mounting hardware using SolidWorks or Fusion 360 Perform electrical integration — cable termination, power distribution wiring, I/O verification, and network bring-up for PLC/IPC-based systems Replicate field failures under controlled lab conditions to isolate intermittent behaviors and conduct root cause analysis on failed components Coordinate with vendors to validate corrective actions before fleet-wide deployment Perform optical validation including camera characterization, illumination mapping, and barcode read-rate testing Support continuous R&D reconfiguration of lab systems as programs iterate through development phases Author test reports with pass/fail criteria and measured data; update BOMs and work instructions Write basic test scripts (Python, LabVIEW, or shell) to automate repetitive hardware validation sequences and data collection Maintain lab instrumentation calibration, inventory, and safety compliance