Geotechnical Engineer

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to join its data center design team in one of our four hubs; Austin, TX; Columbus, OH; Herndon, VA; or Seattle, WA.

As a Geotechnical Engineer at AWS you will be responsible for providing technical guidance and oversight on geotechnical issues related to construction projects. You will be part of a highly creative and efficient design team comprised of Architects, Engineers, and Designers tasked with solving problems and challenging the status quo. As a subject matter expert, you will have a direct impact on the design of prototypical Data Center sites, provide technical design guidance and vendor oversight, solve large-scale implementation issues, and build a strong understanding of geotechnical design and program 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 security 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.

Key job responsibilities
- Analyze data collected during geotechnical investigations to identify potential geotechnical hazards that may affect the project's design, construction, or operation.
- Provide technical guidance to project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders on geotechnical issues such as foundation design, slope stability, earthworks, pavement design, and groundwater control.
- Manage our external geotechnical design consultants through the Data Center design and construction process.
- Review and optimize designs for site layout, earthworks, foundations, soil stabilization and amendments, pavements, etc.
- Coordinate with internal and external design engineers.
- Effectively communicate design standards to internal and external project partners.
- Communicate conceptual designs and create/maintain project documentation before, during, and after construction.
- Develop and maintain design standards, design prototypes, and template specifications related to geotechnical engineering for Data Centers and supporting infrastructure.
- Coordinate with AWS Due Diligence and Real Estate teams to determine site selection criteria and review Due Diligence reports.
- Create, review, and release design RFPs for various projects, including DCs and special program facilities.
- Manage multiple fast paced projects simultaneously. Foresee and manage internal Technical Program Manager’s (TPM’s) expectation regarding project-specific cost and schedules variables.
- Lead initiatives aimed at improving cost, quality, schedule, and consistency
- Travel for site assessments, internal design meetings, construction review, and interfacing with authorities having jurisdiction.

About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
- Professional Engineer License
- 4+ years of geotechnical engineering experience - Experience with building codes and regulations for your region
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents
- Proficiency with geotechnical engineering standards to review investigations and assessments to determine soil and rock conditions, site suitability, and potential hazards.
- 2+ years experience in design for Data Centers or Mission Critical facilities with working knowledge of land development conventional practices.
- Proficient in AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and MS Office Suite software.

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.

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, OH, COLUMBUS - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 116,800.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually