Sr Principal, Industrial Design, industrial robotics — North Reading, Massachusetts, USA

Amazon is building robotic systems that combine AI, advanced control systems, and mechanical design to create automation solutions that work safely alongside humans in dynamic environments. Our teams are solving hard problems in robotic manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction at Amazon’s scale. We are looking for a Sr Principal Industrial Design to own the vision for our robotics portfolio. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and define how our robots look, feel, move, and communicate intent to the humans who work alongside them. The scope is broad: the robot itself, its enclosures and packaging, the charger, accessories, and the physical environment in which it operates. You will also own our external design agency relationships, setting direction and managing deliverables across internal and external teams. This role requires balancing cost, schedule, and performance while maintaining a high bar for design quality. You should be comfortable operating in ambiguity, bringing structure where there is none, and driving decisions with data and good judgment. You will have the creativity to translate a customer-centric design vision into physical products that are simple, intuitive, and refined despite underlying complexity. You have a strong eye for detail, form, and proportion. You think in systems, not just individual objects. You are direct, clear, and persuasive in how you communicate, whether presenting to engineers or senior executives. Key job responsibilities • Establishes and owns the design language for the entire portfolio, spanning UX, visual, motion and industrial design, and physical identity across all products, enclosures, accessories, and ecosystem touchpoints. • Owns the overarching design strategy, negotiating priorities, focus, and clarity of solution with cross-functional product and tech directors and general managers. • Owns and manages external design agency partnerships, setting design direction, managing deliverables, and ensuring coherence across internal and external teams. • Leads the design of component packaging and enclosures (panels, access doors, housings), balancing aesthetics, design for manufacturing, and serviceability. • Defines the robot's motion language and character design, establishing how the robot moves, communicates intent, and builds trust with the humans it works alongside • Drives ecosystem and systems-level design thinking across the robot, charger, accessories, and the physical environments in which the robot operates. • Drives alignment across partner teams on customer problems, product vision, and priorities. Creates scalable systems that enable federation of design work. • Brings structure to ambiguity when defining new products and applying new technologies. Ensures the resulting products are simple, clear, and functional. • Stays current on advances in industrial design, manufacturing processes, ergonomics, and motion/character design. Leads the team to identify and experiment with new approaches. • Maintains strong working relationships with Product Management, Marketing, and other stakeholder groups. • Inspires and develops a small diverse team, creating a culture of inclusion and creativity. • Contributes as a key leader to the Design Culture and Community at Amazon. • 10+ years of experience in industrial design, product design, or a similar role focused on physical product development • Experience with iterative design and development processes, from sketch and 3D CAD through physical prototyping to production • A portfolio demonstrating excellence in physical product design, including form development, CMF (color, material, finish), prototyping, and design for manufacturing • Knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials, including injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, and related production methods • Experience managing external design agencies, setting creative direction, and ensuring quality across internal and external teams • Track record of presenting to and influencing senior executive management • Strong knowledge of ergonomics, human factors, and usability principles as applied to physical products and human-robot interaction • Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills • Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience • Experience in robotics, automation, consumer electronics, or complex electromechanical product design • Background in one or more of the following industries: automotive/EV design, consumer robotics, medical devices, or entertainment technology • Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams including industrial designers, mechanical engineers, ergonomics specialists, product managers, and software engineers • Experience with motion design, character design, or emotive behavior design for physical products or robotic systems • Demonstrated ability to define and maintain a cohesive design language across a product portfolio • Experience designing complete product ecosystems (product, accessories, charging systems, environmental integration) • Proficiency in 3D CAD tools and physical prototyping methods • Ability to prepare production-ready specifications and documentation • Comfort managing ambiguity and working autonomously in an agile environment 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, MA, N.Reading - 240,100.00 - 324,800.00 USD annually