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Physical Security Engineering Manager, Data Center Design Engineering, Data Center Design Engineering
Columbus, Ohio, USA, Herndon, Virginia, USA, San Francisco, California, USA, Seattle, Washington, USA
full-timeDesignJob Description
About AWS Infrastructure Services
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.
________________________________________
About the Role
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a Manager, Physical Security Engineering to join its Data Center Design Engineering (DCDE) team within the Americas (AMER) region. This position supports Leased and Owned (Greenfield, Build-to-Suit, and Brownfield) commercial data center projects and is available in the following locations:
• Austin, Texas
• Seattle, Washington
• Herndon, Virginia
• Columbus, Ohio
Physical Security Engineering at AWS works to design safe, secure, resilient, and cost-effective data center facilities. As a Manager of Physical Security Engineering for Leased/Owned projects, you will lead a team of Physical Security Engineers (PSEs) responsible for delivering security designs across the full project lifecycle — from pre-design due diligence through construction administration and operational handoff — for AWS-owned and leased commercial data center campuses across the Americas region.
You will be part of a highly creative and efficient design team comprised of Architects, Engineers, and Designers tasked with solving problems and challenging the status quo. As both a subject matter expert and a people manager, you will set the technical direction for your team, drive accountability across multiple simultaneous fast-paced projects, and be responsible for developing and communicating security design requirements to internal and external project partners and stakeholders.
________________________________________
What You Will Do
As a Manager of Physical Security Engineering for Leased/Owned projects, you will work directly with AWS Security teams, Design Engineering leadership, Real Estate, Construction Management, and external design consultants to deliver world-class physical security across AWS's owned and leased data center portfolio. You will set the strategic direction for your team's engagement across the project lifecycle, ensure design quality and standards compliance, and build a high-performing team capable of delivering results at scale. You will bring deep knowledge of physical security principles and their practical application, including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), perimeter intrusion detection, video surveillance, and access control architecture, and translate that expertise into team guidance, design standards, and program improvements.
Key job responsibilities
People Management & Team Development
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of Physical Security Engineers (PSEs) assigned to Leased/Owned commercial data center projects across the AMER region
• Define clear performance expectations aligned to the DE Security performance bar, conduct regular 1:1s, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to drive above-bar performance across the team
• Own the Organization and Leadership Review (OLR) process for your team, including performance calibration, promotion decisions, and talent development planning
• Create an inclusive team culture that rewards ownership, rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement, consistent with Amazon Leadership Principles
• Oversee onboarding and new hire integration, ensuring PSEs are set up for success from day one with the right project assignments, shadowing opportunities, and resources.
Strategic Design Leadership & Technical Direction
• Set the technical direction and quality bar for security designs — including construction drawings and specifications — covering cameras, access control systems, intrusion detection, perimeter fencing, gates, sallyports, hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), and Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) across Greenfield, Build-to-Suit (BTS), and Brownfield data center projects
• Hold the team accountable for ensuring all security designs comply with the AWS Physical Security Standard (PSS) and Basis of Design (BOD) owner's requirements, and that non-compliant conditions are proactively managed through the appropriate SPEAR process.
• Establish and enforce QA/QC standards for consultant deliverable reviews at each design milestone (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%), ensuring the team delivers high-quality, timely feedback
• Represent DE Security at key design forums including Security Page Turn meetings, Security Workgroup meetings, PIDS reviews, and cross-discipline coordination meetings, stepping in to resolve escalated technical issues as needed
Pre-Design Strategy & Due Diligence Oversight
• Direct the team's engagement during the pre-design phase, ensuring PSEs provide meaningful physical security input during site selection, Due Diligence (DD), and test fit reviews for new campus acquisitions
• Review and approve security risk assessments and DD approval inputs, ensuring the team applies consistent risk evaluation criteria aligned to the DE Security Due Diligence Checklist
• Identify and escalate site-specific security risks — including standoff distances, neighboring facility risks, traffic patterns, sallyport configurations, and natural hazard considerations — that could impact project schedule, cost, or security posture.
Standards Ownership & Programmatic Leadership
• Own the team's contribution to the AWS Security Basis of Design (BOD), driving updates in coordination with the BOD Release Management Team, SPEAR internal security standards and audit teams, and relevant Security SMEs to ensure requirements remain current and performance-based
• Sponsor and oversee programmatic initiatives including Security BOD template updates, QAQC checklist improvements, and cross-discipline coordination tools, assigning initiative owners and holding the team accountable to delivery timelines
• Partner with SPEAR, DCESS, internal security standards, solutions, and audit teams, and other AWS security stakeholders to shape design standards, influence policy, and ensure the AMER Leased/Owned program reflects best-in-class security engineering practice.
Construction Administration & Project Delivery Accountability
• Hold the team accountable for PSE engagement during the construction administration phase, including oversight of RFI responses, product submittals, OAC meeting participation, and site visit execution
• Ensure PSEs complete required construction site visits and Field Observation Reports per program standards, and that Design Handoff to Security Program Managers (SPMs) is executed completely and on time
• Monitor project health across the portfolio, identify risks to cost, schedule, or security posture, and drive timely escalation and resolution
Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Escalation Management
• Serve as the primary escalation point and senior decision-maker for security design issues across Leased/Owned projects in the AMER region, partnering with DE Design Managers, TPMs, Construction Managers, and senior AWS leadership to resolve conflicts and drive alignment
• Represent DE Security at DE Finance Meetings, presenting the team's security construction scope, PIDS conditions, retaining wall details, sallyport configurations, and BOD deviations to AWS Finance leadership
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Security Program Managers (SPMs), Cluster Security Managers (CSMs), Regional Security Managers (RSMs), and partner DE disciplines to ensure security is fully integrated into project delivery
Vendor Strategy & Procurement Oversight
• Own the team's engagement in the RFP process, ensuring security design scopes of work are complete, accurate, and reflective of known site complexities and AWS standards
• Oversee vendor bid evaluations, pricing negotiations, and scope comprehension reviews in coordination with the DE Design Manager and DCSP procurement team
• Drive accountability for vendor performance through annual Supplier Business Reviews (SBRs) and Security Vendor Feedback Surveys, using results to continuously improve the consultant management program
Travel
• Travel for site assessments, due diligence reviews, in-person design coordination meetings, team offsites, construction site visits, and senior stakeholder engagement. Anticipated travel not to exceed 25–30%, with occasional international travel as required.
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.
________________________________________
About the Role
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a Manager, Physical Security Engineering to join its Data Center Design Engineering (DCDE) team within the Americas (AMER) region. This position supports Leased and Owned (Greenfield, Build-to-Suit, and Brownfield) commercial data center projects and is available in the following locations:
• Austin, Texas
• Seattle, Washington
• Herndon, Virginia
• Columbus, Ohio
Physical Security Engineering at AWS works to design safe, secure, resilient, and cost-effective data center facilities. As a Manager of Physical Security Engineering for Leased/Owned projects, you will lead a team of Physical Security Engineers (PSEs) responsible for delivering security designs across the full project lifecycle — from pre-design due diligence through construction administration and operational handoff — for AWS-owned and leased commercial data center campuses across the Americas region.
You will be part of a highly creative and efficient design team comprised of Architects, Engineers, and Designers tasked with solving problems and challenging the status quo. As both a subject matter expert and a people manager, you will set the technical direction for your team, drive accountability across multiple simultaneous fast-paced projects, and be responsible for developing and communicating security design requirements to internal and external project partners and stakeholders.
________________________________________
What You Will Do
As a Manager of Physical Security Engineering for Leased/Owned projects, you will work directly with AWS Security teams, Design Engineering leadership, Real Estate, Construction Management, and external design consultants to deliver world-class physical security across AWS's owned and leased data center portfolio. You will set the strategic direction for your team's engagement across the project lifecycle, ensure design quality and standards compliance, and build a high-performing team capable of delivering results at scale. You will bring deep knowledge of physical security principles and their practical application, including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), perimeter intrusion detection, video surveillance, and access control architecture, and translate that expertise into team guidance, design standards, and program improvements.
Key job responsibilities
People Management & Team Development
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of Physical Security Engineers (PSEs) assigned to Leased/Owned commercial data center projects across the AMER region
• Define clear performance expectations aligned to the DE Security performance bar, conduct regular 1:1s, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to drive above-bar performance across the team
• Own the Organization and Leadership Review (OLR) process for your team, including performance calibration, promotion decisions, and talent development planning
• Create an inclusive team culture that rewards ownership, rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement, consistent with Amazon Leadership Principles
• Oversee onboarding and new hire integration, ensuring PSEs are set up for success from day one with the right project assignments, shadowing opportunities, and resources.
Strategic Design Leadership & Technical Direction
• Set the technical direction and quality bar for security designs — including construction drawings and specifications — covering cameras, access control systems, intrusion detection, perimeter fencing, gates, sallyports, hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), and Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) across Greenfield, Build-to-Suit (BTS), and Brownfield data center projects
• Hold the team accountable for ensuring all security designs comply with the AWS Physical Security Standard (PSS) and Basis of Design (BOD) owner's requirements, and that non-compliant conditions are proactively managed through the appropriate SPEAR process.
• Establish and enforce QA/QC standards for consultant deliverable reviews at each design milestone (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%), ensuring the team delivers high-quality, timely feedback
• Represent DE Security at key design forums including Security Page Turn meetings, Security Workgroup meetings, PIDS reviews, and cross-discipline coordination meetings, stepping in to resolve escalated technical issues as needed
Pre-Design Strategy & Due Diligence Oversight
• Direct the team's engagement during the pre-design phase, ensuring PSEs provide meaningful physical security input during site selection, Due Diligence (DD), and test fit reviews for new campus acquisitions
• Review and approve security risk assessments and DD approval inputs, ensuring the team applies consistent risk evaluation criteria aligned to the DE Security Due Diligence Checklist
• Identify and escalate site-specific security risks — including standoff distances, neighboring facility risks, traffic patterns, sallyport configurations, and natural hazard considerations — that could impact project schedule, cost, or security posture.
Standards Ownership & Programmatic Leadership
• Own the team's contribution to the AWS Security Basis of Design (BOD), driving updates in coordination with the BOD Release Management Team, SPEAR internal security standards and audit teams, and relevant Security SMEs to ensure requirements remain current and performance-based
• Sponsor and oversee programmatic initiatives including Security BOD template updates, QAQC checklist improvements, and cross-discipline coordination tools, assigning initiative owners and holding the team accountable to delivery timelines
• Partner with SPEAR, DCESS, internal security standards, solutions, and audit teams, and other AWS security stakeholders to shape design standards, influence policy, and ensure the AMER Leased/Owned program reflects best-in-class security engineering practice.
Construction Administration & Project Delivery Accountability
• Hold the team accountable for PSE engagement during the construction administration phase, including oversight of RFI responses, product submittals, OAC meeting participation, and site visit execution
• Ensure PSEs complete required construction site visits and Field Observation Reports per program standards, and that Design Handoff to Security Program Managers (SPMs) is executed completely and on time
• Monitor project health across the portfolio, identify risks to cost, schedule, or security posture, and drive timely escalation and resolution
Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Escalation Management
• Serve as the primary escalation point and senior decision-maker for security design issues across Leased/Owned projects in the AMER region, partnering with DE Design Managers, TPMs, Construction Managers, and senior AWS leadership to resolve conflicts and drive alignment
• Represent DE Security at DE Finance Meetings, presenting the team's security construction scope, PIDS conditions, retaining wall details, sallyport configurations, and BOD deviations to AWS Finance leadership
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Security Program Managers (SPMs), Cluster Security Managers (CSMs), Regional Security Managers (RSMs), and partner DE disciplines to ensure security is fully integrated into project delivery
Vendor Strategy & Procurement Oversight
• Own the team's engagement in the RFP process, ensuring security design scopes of work are complete, accurate, and reflective of known site complexities and AWS standards
• Oversee vendor bid evaluations, pricing negotiations, and scope comprehension reviews in coordination with the DE Design Manager and DCSP procurement team
• Drive accountability for vendor performance through annual Supplier Business Reviews (SBRs) and Security Vendor Feedback Surveys, using results to continuously improve the consultant management program
Travel
• Travel for site assessments, due diligence reviews, in-person design coordination meetings, team offsites, construction site visits, and senior stakeholder engagement. Anticipated travel not to exceed 25–30%, with occasional international travel as required.