Sr. Infrastructure Reliability Engineer (HV Substations), IRQ Team

Company: Amazon Data Services, Inc.
Location: Falls Church
Posted on: September 24, 2024

Job Description:

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. As an Infrastructure Reliability Engineer, you will be proactively driving the reliability risk identification, assessment, and mitigation for datacenter infrastructure equipment, with a specific focus on High Voltage (HV) substations. You will also be responsible for root cause analysis of critical equipment failures and drive the continuous improvements to improve datacenter availability for AWS customers. You will work closely with both internal and outside partners including suppliers to drive key aspects of product specification, risk identification plan and execution. You must be ownership minded, independent, action and results oriented to succeed in an open collaborative environment. The candidate should have experience in using Physics-of-Failure based approach to develop and implement both analytical and empirical approaches for product quality/reliability risk identification and assessment during product design, manufacture as well as deployment stages. The individual should be able to drive AWS application-specific requirements in carrying out both lifecycle environmental and operational stress driven risk analysis, including thermal, electrical, chemical and mechanical stresses so to identify overstress and fatigue-related product weaknesses. Candidate should be capable of evaluating not only product design quality/reliability risks, but also have the skills and experiences in assessing electronics manufacture process related quality/reliability issues. Knowledge of statistical techniques and models is required to analyze test as well as field data. At the component level, the individual will drive critical component identification and the associated vendor selection and qualification requirements. The candidate will be expected to use knowledge of process capability for electronic component production as well as system-level performance requirements to establish critical to quality and reliability metrics. At the system level, the individual will develop datacenter system level reliability model and related reliability quantification and risk analysis for datacenter configuration optimization. The candidate will be expected to be familiar with system reliability engineering tools, such as reliability block diagram, statistical modeling and data analytics. During sustaining stage, candidate will be responsible for monitoring product performance in the field and will be responsible to drive root cause analysis of any critical failures and the associated corrective and preventive actions. The individual should also be able to drive effective vendor auditing and quarterly review process to drive the continuous improvements of datacenter availability. The successful candidate should be considered as an expert in the reliability engineering field and have a proven track record of success in not only product reliability leadership, as well as business negotiations and program management. Strong skill-set in problem analysis and solving as well as communication and vendor management are necessary. Candidates should also be able to travel within US and internationally. Key job responsibilities
1. Project Oversight & Coordination:
- Lead reliability engineering efforts for the development of HV substations.
- Collaborate with project management, design, and engineering teams to ensure reliability considerations are integrated from the start.
- Review project plans, specifications, and contracts to ensure compliance with reliability standards.
2. Technology & Equipment Qualification:
- Evaluate and qualify new technologies and equipment for HV substations, ensuring they meet reliability and performance standards.
- Conduct testing and validation of equipment to ensure it can withstand operational demands.
- Work with vendors and manufacturers to ensure equipment reliability through rigorous qualification processes.
3. Root Cause Analysis (RCA):
- Lead RCA efforts for any failures or unexpected events in HV substation operations.
- Analyze failure data to identify trends and underlying causes.
- Develop and implement corrective actions to prevent future failures, ensuring continuous improvement in substation reliability.
4. Reliability Modeling & Analysis:
- Develop reliability models for HV substation components and systems.
- Perform reliability predictions and assessments to identify potential weaknesses and improvement opportunities.
- Use tools such as Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) to evaluate risks and drive improvements.
5. General Responsibilities:
- Responsible for root cause analysis of critical equipment failures and drive continuous improvements to improve datacenter availability for AWS customers.
- Work closely with both internal and outside partners, including suppliers, to drive key aspects of product specification, risk identification plan, and execution.
- Drive AWS application-specific requirements in carrying out both lifecycle environmental and operational stress-driven risk analysis, including thermal, electrical, chemical, and mechanical stresses, to identify overstress and fatigue-related product weaknesses.
- Evaluate not only product design quality/reliability risks but also assess electronics manufacture process-related quality/reliability issues.
- Drive critical component identification and the associated vendor selection and qualification requirements.
- Develop datacenter system-level reliability models and related reliability quantification and risk analysis for datacenter configuration optimization.
- Monitor product performance in the field and drive root cause analysis of any critical failures and the associated corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive effective vendor auditing and quarterly review processes to drive continuous improvements in datacenter availability. About the team
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. 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. 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. 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. 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 - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Reliability Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of Reliability Engineering work experience in a high-reliability industry.
- 5+ years of experience with failure analysis activities and root cause analysis.
- 5+ years of experience with accelerated life testing, stress analysis, and finite element analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Ph.D. in Reliability Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of work experience in reliability risk identification and assessment from component to system level, applying analytical, experimental, and statistical approaches to evaluate product design and manufacture quality/reliability levels.
- Experience with proactive and effective reliability approaches in a cost-effective manner throughout product design, manufacture, and deployment stages.
- Proven experience in working with external design and manufacturing supply chain partners.
- Ability to influence development teams, procurement, and external partners.
- Ability to manage multiple qualification activities and development schedules.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit

Keywords: Amazon Data Services, Inc., Washington DC , Sr. Infrastructure Reliability Engineer (HV Substations), IRQ Team, Engineering , Falls Church, DC