Description

Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging is seeking a Senior Research Scientist with experience in paper converting to join our team. Our mission is to eliminate packaging waste from Amazon’s supply chain to create better customer experiences and reduce our carbon footprint. Our team of engineers, scientists and product managers interface with core Operations, Amazon Fulfillment Technologies and Robotics, finance, procurement, and suppliers to develop solutions in pursuit of this objective. As a subject matter expert in paper packaging, corrugation and paper converting technologies, you will drive future innovation to create curbside recyclable, high performance materials for Amazon’s packaging suite and that are compatible with automated packaging equipment. In this role you will both think big and execute, developing scalable technologies that reduce cost and waste.

This role will drive applied research to improve quality, supply availability, and performance of paper-based materials within Amazon’s fulfillment network. The successful candidate will have broad experience and deep skills in concept design through production across diverse paper converting platforms with demonstrated experience integrating complex systems with high quality and reliability across first-of-kind projects which include a high degree of ambiguity. You will be required to work successfully across multiple engineering disciplines, materials and operations teams to deliver products which have a broad impact for Amazon. This candidate requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, collaboration, analytical and abstract thinking, time management and organizational skills. You will partner with internal as well as external stakeholders to rapidly transition new technologies to real-world applications, owning the roadmap from ideation to commercialization.

Key job responsibilities

• Developing and leading paper converting initiatives in partnership with external and internal teams to drive the expansion of new sustainable materials for the next generation of Amazon Packaging.

• Scoping, managing, and delivering multiple strategic technical research projects in parallel from concept to production with significant bottom-line and customer impact.

• Transforming supply chains to reach target performance and cost objectives through strategic partnership, research, investment, and innovation.

• Providing subject matter expertise to time-critical questions from multiple business teams.

• Communicating scientific research and trade-offs for long- and short-term objectives to stakeholders from senior business leaders to highly technical engineering teams.

• Leveraging emerging research to meet customer needs and mitigate risks to roadmap adoption.

We are open to hiring candidates to work out of one of the following locations:

Bellevue, WA, USA | Sumner, WA, USA

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, or Master's degree and 5+ years of quantitative field research experience

• 3+ years of investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products experience

• Experience communicating qualitative research methods and findings to non-qualitative researchers

• Experience conveying complex subject matter to clients and stakeholders

• Background in Paper Engineering or Chemical Engineering and 5+ years of industry experience in paper manufacturing or converting, preferably with emphasis in corrugation and coatings.

• Experience with paper production and converting systems.

• Experience working with industrial paper machines in packaging paper grades.

• Competence in statistical analysis, databases and mathematical modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience converting research studies into tangible real-world changes

• Knowledge of quantitative approaches (e.g., t-tests, regressions, ANOVAs, etc.)

• Knowledge of R or Python

• Experience with complex automated material handling equipment, packaging and/or consolidation technologies, and systems including robotics, and high-speed manufacturing. Experience scaling concepts from lab to commercially available products.

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 https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $127,300/year in our lowest geographic market up to $247,600/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 https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.