Materials Characterization Engineer, SPICE Lab (Seattle)

SPICE lab (a Seattle-based branch of Amazons Lab126 subsidiary) is a research and development group partnering with Amazons most ambitious hardware organizations. SPICE lab Amazons growing portfolio of hardware programs including Kuiper Prime Air Mechatronics Sustainable Packaging AWS Lab126 Devices and others. If you are passionate about building the future and want to take part in developing ideas from concept to production consider joining the SPICE lab team!

The Role: The Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis team leverages science and engineering to improve product reliability and safety accelerate innovation and make a direct impact on design through high-quality analysis and expert interpretation of data. This position will support the Global Materials Science organization by investigating structure/process/properties relationships in packaging solutions optimizing for cost performance and sustainability. You will develop and execute world-class analysis outcomes in the areas of sample preparation and physical/chemical characterization. A majority of time will be spent in a lab environment so demonstrated enthusiasm for hands-on work developing and executing lab procedures is key. You will act as the formal liaison between SPICE lab and the Global Materials Science (GMS) organization triaging requests of the lab team designing/executing materials investigations and providing updates to leadership.


Key job responsibilities
Data collection and analysis utilizing a variety of characterization methods including optical/electron microscopy x-ray imaging spectroscopy (EDS FTIR XRF) thermal-mechanical (DSC DMA TMA rheometer) and chromatography (IC GC-MS)
Consultation on corrective actions method development design/manufacturing best practices and material selection for cross-functional stakeholders
Supporting Sr. Engineering staff to deliver expedient and accurate results for high-priority and escalated investigations
Maintenance of lab tools and ownership of operations best-practices/initiatives to ensure a clean and efficient work environment for the team


A day in the life
On a typical day in this role you will split time between your desk in our office area and the lab facility down the hallway. Youll have a queue of between 2 and 5 investigations at various stages tracked using our Issue Management application and provide our internal stakeholders daily updates on progress. Your projects will most often culminate in a materials analysis report document which youll use to build consensus around actions for the business to take in order drive new innovations in materials science and engineering.

About the team
SPICE lab supports three main roles: Reliability Testing Failure Analysis and Materials Characterization. We frequently work together because conducting thorough root cause analysis is valuable for understanding and remedying any issues uncovered as part of a programs reliability testing plan. Likewise the reliability testing team can help to reproduce failure mechanisms helping to validate Failure Analysis teams hypotheses. Finally many of the same tools are valuable in measuring materials properties or other figures of merit in materials selection exercises.

- 2 years of hardware design and validation of components subsystems and systems experience
- Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering electrical engineering material science physics or equivalent
- Experience with benchmarking technical equipment and metrics
- Experience with lab safety security and quality practices
- Experience using materials and failure analysis techniques. Examples include SEM computed tomography (CT) x-ray cross sectioning and FTIR

- Masters degree
- Experience independently troubleshooting maintaining and developing new methods for scientific equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to apply failure analysis methodology to independently develop analysis plans and develop a root-cause hypothesis with corrective action recommendations

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 for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt listed please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $86900/year in our lowest geographic market up to $185000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge skills and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered equity sign-on payments and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package in addition to a full range of medical financial and/or other benefits. For more information please visit This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.