At AWS, we're revolutionizing the design of critical communications pathways, spaces, and cabling within our data centers. We're looking for a senior technical leader who can set the standard for ICT design excellence, drive cross-discipline coordination, and accelerate our time to market — while mentoring the next generation of ICT engineers and influencing the broader infrastructure architecture.
In this role, you will own complex, multi-site ICT design programs from concept through construction administration. You will lead design reviews, define engineering standards, engage with industry suppliers and standards bodies, and drive the adoption of emerging technologies. Your contributions will have deep and far-reaching impact on partner teams, regional infrastructure architecture, and the overall AWS global data center portfolio.
This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of ICT design at AWS at a systems and architecture level — where your decisions influence not just individual projects, but the long-term scalability, cost-efficiency, and resilience of AWS infrastructure worldwide.
Key job responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Design Ownership
Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable, high-performance fiber optic and copper plant designs, pathway systems, and ICT specifications across multiple simultaneous builds and regions.
Own the ICT architecture for complex, large-scale data center programs — including new campus greenfield builds, build-to-suit (BTS) projects, and colocation environments — ensuring designs are extensible, cost-optimized, and aligned with AWS BOD standards.
Drive the development and continuous improvement of ICT design standards, BOD templates, specification sections, and QA/QC checklists used across the global DE organization.
Identify and resolve complex cross-discipline coordination challenges involving civil, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and security systems, removing bottlenecks that impact project delivery.
Take a long-term view of infrastructure design decisions, balancing short-term project needs against global architectural consistency and future scalability.
Standards, Quality & Process Improvement
Define and enforce ICT engineering best practices, design standards, and quality benchmarks across the team and partner organizations.
Lead and conduct design milestone reviews (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%) for ICT systems, providing technical feedback that elevates design quality across the portfolio.
Review and approve ICT pathway, cabling, and equipment submittals, ensuring compliance with AWS standards, applicable codes, and project-specific requirements.
Drive root-cause analysis for endemic design deficiencies and lead programmatic initiatives to resolve them — leaving systems better, simpler, and easier to maintain.
Contribute to and lead Correction of Errors (COE) processes and Lessons Learned reviews, translating findings into actionable BOD or standards improvements.
Cross-Discipline & Stakeholder Collaboration
Serve as the primary ICT technical point of contact for complex projects and regional programs, engaging directly with Design Managers, TPMs, Construction Managers, Security Engineers, and partner discipline leads.
Collaborate with the Security, Electrical, Civil, and Architectural disciplines to ensure ICT pathway and cabling designs are fully coordinated and constructible.
Partner with SPEAR, DCESS, and other AWS security stakeholders to ensure ICT designs support physical security system integration requirements (access control, CCTV, PIDS, etc.).
Engages cross-functionally with stakeholder teams including Networking, Hardware Engineering, Network Deployment, Operations, and Capacity Planning to gather technical requirements, align on constraints, and develop infrastructure designs that meet organizational objectives and operational standards.
Engage with industry suppliers, manufacturers, and standards bodies (TIA, BICSI, IEEE) to define product requirements, evaluate emerging technologies, and influence AWS procurement strategy.
Support the RFP process by developing ICT scope requirements, reviewing vendor bids, and providing technical input on consultant selection and scope comprehension.
Innovation & Emerging Technology
Identify, evaluate, and champion new ICT technologies, construction methods, and design approaches that improve infrastructure quality, reduce cost, and accelerate installation timelines.
Lead or contribute to programmatic initiatives that drive innovation across the ICT design portfolio (e.g., unified cabling platforms, modular pathway systems, next-generation fiber architectures).
Stay current on data center technology trends and provide informed recommendations on which technologies are appropriate for AWS facilities and which are not.
Mentorship, Hiring & Talent Development
Actively mentor and develop ICT engineers, improving their technical knowledge, design skills, and ability to deliver independently.
Lead and participate in the hiring process, including conducting technical interviews and providing calibrated assessments for ICT engineering candidates.
Provide technical assessments for DCIE promotion evaluations, contributing to the professional development of colleagues across the organization.
Train and onboard new team members on ICT architecture, AWS design standards, and cross-discipline coordination processes.
Program Execution & Travel
Identify and respond to design risks and high-priority issues rapidly and effectively, escalating through appropriate channels when required.
Travel 25%+ to conduct site visits, lead in-person design reviews, coordinate with onsite personnel and contractors, and validate ICT infrastructure at AWS data centers globally.
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, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, 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.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
5+ years of experience in industrial or commercial engineering in mission-critical facilities, including but not limited to: data centers, power generation, or telecommunications infrastructure.
5+ years of ICT design experience in Mission Critical Environments, with demonstrated ownership of complex, multi-site design programs.
5+ years of experience developing and leading the production of design documentation (plans, specifications, BOD templates, QA/QC checklists) for construction and/or permitting.
5+ years of hands-on experience with fiber optic components, cabling, interconnect products, technologies, and applicable standards (TIA-568, TIA-569, TIA-942, BICSI TDMM/OSPDRM).
Demonstrated experience driving engineering standards, design best practices, or process improvements across a team or organization.
Experience leading cross-discipline design coordination in a large-scale infrastructure or construction program.
BICSI RCDD Certification or internationally recognized equivalent (e.g., CDCDP, DCDC, CCTT, CNIDP).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Professional Engineering or Architectural License
Experience developing or contributing to BOD-level design standards, master specifications, or engineering guidelines for a multi-site infrastructure portfolio.
Experience with building codes, AHJ requirements, and permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions or regions.
Demonstrated ability to carry design concepts from exploration and development through to deployment or mass production across multiple builds.
Experience reading, interpreting, and producing construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents at a senior level of ownership.
Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and MS Office Suite.
Experience engaging with industry standards bodies (TIA, BICSI, IEEE) or contributing to industry publications, patents, or technical standards.
Familiarity with physical security system integration requirements (access control, CCTV, PIDS) as they relate to ICT pathway and cabling design.
Experience supporting or leading RFP processes, vendor evaluations, and design consultant management.
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 - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
