Amazon

Sr. Physical Security Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering

Amazon$136K — $184K *
Enterprise Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6+ years in industrial or commercial engineering in mission-critical facilities (data centers, power generation, oil and gas)
  • 5+ years leading physical security design programs including detailed documentation for security systems
  • 5+ years crafting and reviewing design plans and specifications for construction or permitting
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Security Engineering, or equivalent background
  • Proven ability to drive design standards and engineering best practices
  • Experience managing external design consultants to meet technical and schedule demands
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Responsibilities

  • Own security design from conception to completion, including construction drawings and specifications
  • Drive improvements in security design standards and documents based on emerging technologies
  • Lead cross-functional design reviews with various engineering disciplines
  • Proactively identify and address complex risks and architectural deficiencies
  • Evaluate new technologies and security measures for AWS infrastructure
  • Act as the main technical liaison for physical security design consultants
  • Work with AWS Security to align designs with operational needs
  • Create scopes of work for RFPs and contribute to vendor selection processes
  • Mentor junior engineers to enhance their skills and independence
  • Conduct site assessments and design coordination meetings with expected 25% travel

Benefits

  • Health insurance options (medical, dental, vision)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Mental health support and employee assistance programs
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage
Full Job Description
As a Senior Physical Security Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader for security design across Amazon Data Centers in the Americas Region and beyond. You will own complex, cross-team security design programs, drive regional and global standards, and directly shape the security architecture of AWS data center infrastructure at scale. You'll operate within a highly creative and efficient design team of Architects, Engineers, and Designers - and you'll be expected to lead, not simply contribute, when solving the most challenging physical security problems. You will work with limited guidance on ambiguous, high-impact problems. Your solutions must be extensible, cost-optimized, and designed to scale across multiple builds and geographies. As both a subject matter expert and a working leader, you'll mentor junior engineers, drive engineering best practices, and serve as the primary technical authority for complex projects spanning multiple partner teams and stakeholders. Key job responsibilities • Own the end-to-end security design process including construction drawings, specifications, and standards for physical security systems (access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, perimeter fencing, gates, and more) across multiple simultaneous data center projects in the Americas Region. • Drive development and continuous improvement of AWS physical security design standards, Basis of Design (BOD) documents, and template specifications ensuring they reflect current best practices, emerging technologies, and lessons learned from the field. • Lead cross-functional design reviews and page turns, coordinating with Civil, Architectural, Electrical, and ICT disciplines to deliver integrated, compliant security designs. • Identify, assess, and resolve complex design risks and architectural deficiencies proactively including those that span multiple teams or regions. • Evaluate emerging technologies, construction methods, and security measures for applicability to AWS infrastructure, and champion adoption where ROI and scalability justify it. • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for physical security design consultants directing their work, reviewing deliverables, and holding them accountable to AWS standards and SLAs. • Collaborate with AWS Security, and other security stakeholders to ensure design outputs align with operational and compliance requirements. • Develop security design scopes of work for RFPs and provide technical input during vendor selection and bid evaluation. • Mentor and develop junior Physical Security Engineers strengthening their technical acumen, design judgment, and capacity to deliver independently. • Conduct site assessments, construction reviews, and design coordination meetings. Anticipated travel  25%. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - 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 - 5+ years of experience leading physical security design programs including construction drawings and specifications for access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, perimeter security, and related systems - 5+ years of experience developing and reviewing design documentation (plans, specifications, submittals) for construction and/or permitting - Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Security Engineering, related discipline, or equivalent work experience - Demonstrated track record of driving design standards or engineering best practices across multiple projects or teams - Experience directing external design consultants and holding them accountable to technical and schedule requirements - Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Professional Engineering or Architectural License - ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP) or Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification - CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) certification - Experience applying Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles - Familiarity with defense in depth security standards frameworks - Experience with Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS), Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), and integrated security system design - Working knowledge of building codes, AHJ requirements, and permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions - Experience carrying design concepts from exploration through deployment at scale across multiple sites or regions - Experience contributing to or authoring Basis of Design (BOD) documents or equivalent owners requirements - Experience collaborating with compliance, risk, and operations teams to validate security designs against standards - Experience in physical security system commissioning and testing - Experience researching new designs, technologies, and construction methods of data center equipment and facilities - Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and Ai workflows 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, GA, Atlanta - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually 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

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Amazon

More Enterprise Technology Jobs

Find similar Sr. Physical Security Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering jobs: