Principal Structural Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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.
We are seeking a highly technical Design Portfolio Manager to join our The Global Design Standards and Change Management (GDSCM) team, focusing on the Basis of Design (BOD) and Programmatic Design Change Management (PDCM) programs. This role requires deep technical expertise across multiple engineering disciplines and the ability to evaluate complex design changes across 300+ in-flight projects.
As a Design portfolio Manager, you will serve as a technical expert evaluating design change requests across electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, architectural, controls, plumbing, fire protection, and thermal systems. You will conduct feasibility analyses, coordinate technical reviews with principal engineers across all disciplines, and manage the end-to-end lifecycle of design changes from initiation through implementation.
You will work closely with Design Engineering, Construction Management, Procurement, Finance, and Product teams to ensure design changes are properly vetted, funded, and executed.
Key job responsibilities
Technical Design Evaluation
• Evaluate complex design changes across multiple engineering disciplines including electrical power distribution, mechanical cooling systems, structural loads, civil site work, architectural layouts, controls systems, plumbing infrastructure, and fire protection systems
• Analyze technical specifications, construction drawings, equipment datasheets, and system integration requirements to assess design change feasibility and impact
• Understand and explain the complexity of data center designs including power distribution from utility to rack level, cooling system architectures, backup power systems, and building infrastructure
• Identify technical dependencies and cross-discipline impacts when evaluating proposed design changes
• Assess constructability, maintainability, and operational implications of design modifications
• Review and validate technical calculations including electrical load calculations, cooling capacity requirements, structural load analysis, and hydraulic calculations
Design Change Management
• Manage portfolio of design changes across multiple in-flight projects, ensuring alignment with business priorities and technical requirements
• Conduct feasibility analyses and production readiness assessments for proposed design changes, evaluating technical risk, schedule impact, and cost implications
• Coordinate technical reviews with principal engineers across mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural, controls, plumbing, and fire protection disciplines
• Develop and maintain implementation plans, tracking design change execution from approval through site deployment
• Present design change recommendations and cost implications to senior leadership, clearly articulating technical complexity and business impact
• Evaluate design improvements and innovations, assessing their applicability across the global portfolio
Cross-Discipline Collaboration
• Partner with Electrical Engineers on power distribution design, generator sizing, UPS configurations, switchgear specifications, and high-voltage systems
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers on cooling system design, HVAC configurations, piping layouts, and thermal management strategies
• Work with Structural Engineers on foundation design, seismic requirements, equipment support structures, and building loads
• Engage with Civil Engineers on site grading, stormwater management, utility routing, and site infrastructure
• Coordinate with Architectural teams on building layouts, space planning, and building envelope design
• Interface with Controls Engineers on building management systems, monitoring systems, and automation strategies
• Partner with Fire Protection Engineers on fire suppression systems, detection systems, and life safety requirements
Stakeholder Coordination
• Partner with Design Management teams to understand project-specific requirements, constraints, and technical challenges
• Collaborate with Finance teams on cost validation, funding strategies, and budget tracking for design changes
• Work with Construction Management and Procurement teams to assess schedule impacts, supply chain constraints, and constructability
• Engage with Product and Solutions teams to evaluate new equipment, emerging technologies, and design approaches
• Coordinate with Commissioning teams to ensure design changes support testing and startup requirements
Process Improvement
• Identify opportunities to streamline design change workflows and reduce execution timelines while maintaining technical rigor
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including standard operating procedures, design standards, technical specifications, and RACI matrices
• Contribute to automation initiatives and tooling improvements for design change management
• Support integration of cost validation frameworks and bulk funding mechanisms
• Drive continuous improvement in technical review processes and design quality standards
Program Execution
• Track and report on design change metrics including approval timelines, cost avoidance, implementation status, and technical quality
• Maintain design change databases and dashboards for cross-functional visibility
• Support BOD release planning and coordination to minimize redesign impacts
• Participate in weekly leadership reviews presenting program status, key decisions, and technical recommendations
About the team
The Global Design Standards and Change Management (GDSCM) organization within Data Center Engineering is responsible for establishing and maintaining design standards across the global data center portfolio. Our team manages three mission-critical programs:
Basis of Design (BOD) Establishes and governs the foundational technical standards for all global data center designs, ensuring consistency and quality across the portfolio.
Programmatic Design Change Management (PDCM) Manages design change requests across 300+ in-flight projects.
360 Equipment Qualification Program (360 EQP) Qualifies equipment and technologies for deployment across the global portfolio, evaluating emerging solutions and driving standardization of critical systems.
Together, these programs deliver capacity across the AMER, APAC, and EMEA regions.
Why AWS
o 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
o 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
o 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
o 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 conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
o 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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 6+ years of data center design, construction, operations, or facility maintenance experience
- 6+ years of industrial or commercial engineering in mission critical facilities including but not limited to: data centers, power generation or oil and gas facilities experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
- Knowledge of critical data center mechanical and electrical equipment
- Experience in data center design, construction, operations, or facility maintenance
- Experience in industrial or commercial engineering in mission critical facilities including but not limited to: data centers, power generation or oil and gas facilities
- Experience researching new designs, technologies, and construction methods of data center equipment and facilities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineering or Architectural License
- Knowledge of 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
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