Amazon is looking for a talented and self-motivated Principal Environmental Technical Program Manager to serve as a senior individual contributor and a trusted part of the technical and business leadership of the organization. Reporting directly to the Director of AWS Environmental, this global Principal tackles intrinsically hard environmental problems, those that are complex, ambiguous, and undefined, with less existing structure and significant business risk, and delivers solutions with complete independence in partnership with teams across AWS.
This is a role for a seasoned environmental expert whose influence spans multiple organizations and who leads through expertise rather than positional authority. The Principal is an exemplary, hands-on practitioner who is technically deep, brings clarity to complexity, and has resounding impact by aligning teams toward coherent strategies. The Principal drives cross-functional alignment before decisions reach the field, resolves disagreements at the peer level rather than escalating them, and serves as the escalation point on the largest and most complex issues. Success is measured by the ability to move the hardest, cross-cutting problems to durable resolution across environmental media, regions, and partner teams.
Key job responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Influence. Serve as a recognized technical authority on the organization's hardest environmental problems, leading initiatives whose impact spans multiple organizations. Lead through influence rather than authority, aligning teams on coherent strategies so they deliver independently toward an integrated whole. Set the standard for technical excellence and share expertise across regions to raise the bar organization-wide. Mentor technical talent and program teams without direct-management responsibility.
Environmental Compliance. Serve as the deepest technical resource and escalation point for the most complex, ambiguous compliance challenges across media and regions. Define and influence regional and global environmental standards and policies, aligning teams on coherent approaches. Lead resolution of undefined, high-complexity compliance issues and analyze regulations across jurisdictions to anticipate requirements. Maintain expert command of global environmental regulations, standards, and Amazon policy.
Strategy & Program Management. Define environmental strategy where none exists and deliver with complete independence, owning large programs in new territory. Lead external initiatives such as advancing regulatory frameworks, contributing to advocacy, engaging regulators and communities, and designing assessment programs. Make organization-level trade-offs and implement durable mechanisms that reduce risk and increase efficiency. Define and track program-delivery and performance metrics, and work escalations to mitigate risk. Improve regulations by negotiating with regulators, and support community interactions.
A day in the life
The AWS Environmental team supports the full lifecycle of infrastructure development, beginning with site selection and due diligence and continuing through design, construction, and operations. No two days are the same in this role. Because this Principal works the hardest, most cross-cutting environmental problems, the work shifts with where the greatest risk and opportunity sit across the global portfolio. A typical week blends deep individual technical work with the cross-functional influence needed to move problems to durable resolution. On any given day, the Principal may move between diagnosing an ambiguous technical or compliance problem, pressure-testing a permitting or site-development strategy with a regional team, aligning partner organizations on a path forward, and advising senior leaders on risk and trade-offs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience delivering multi-media environmental due diligence, permitting, and compliance projects with specific expertise in CWA 404 and NPDES permitting, groundwater protection, wastewater discharge, and natural and cultural resource evaluations
- Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, science, geology, or related discipline (or equivalent).
- 15+ years multi-media global environmental compliance with demonstrated depth.
- Proven record delivering high-priority projects on tight timelines with partners, consultants, counsel, and regulators.
- Strong data-driven problem-solving, decomposing complex problems into scalable solutions.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing and implementing environmental compliance programs including regulated waste, water, and air regulations in accordance with applicable laws
- Advanced degree in environmental science, engineering, or related discipline, and/or professional certifications (e.g., PE, PG, CHMM).
- Data center or critical infrastructure due diligence, design, construction, and/or risk assessment experience strongly preferred.
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, WA, Seattle - 176,900.00 - 239,400.00 USD annually
