Procurement Engineer

About RIVR, part of Amazon  

RIVR, part of Amazon is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn from rich operational data at scale. 

Following our acquisition by Amazon in March 2026, we are continuing this mission with greater reach and speed. By combining custom robot hardware, onboard autonomy, and cloud-based coordination, RIVR, part of Amazon is building the next generation of safe, reliable autonomous robots for last-mile delivery. 

We need a professional who can independently manage the procurement of complex robot components - from PCBs to custom mechanical assemblies - handling six-figure capital expenditures for mission-critical robotics infrastructure. 

In this role, you will operate as a significant and autonomous contributor. You will solve difficult procurement challenges by applying technical best practices and materials knowledge. You will take ownership of vendor timelines and price negotiations that were previously handled by engineers, ensuring our designers can stay focused on innovation while you ensure our hardware arrives on time, on quality, and on budget. 

● Act as the primary point of contact for technical suppliers, managing all communications regarding pricing, quality issues,  lead times, and contract terms. 

● Independently manage the purchasing for robot-specific commodities: PCBs, custom cables, metallic and non-metallic components.

● Proven experience in technical procurement, buying, or supply chain management in a hardware-centric industry. 

● Proven track record of managing and negotiating substantial purchase orders and vendor contracts. 

● Ability to understand technical drawings and engineering specifications for mechanical and electrical components. 

● Ability to take lead in an environment where processes are still evolving; a strong "bias for action" and clarity. 

● Ability to make the right hardware design trade-offs (e.g., make vs. buy, OEM vs. ODM). 

● Exceptional verbal and written English; ability to harmonize views between international teams. 

● Skills in bottom-up cost analysis and should-cost modeling for custom-machined or injection-molded parts. 

● Experience in an early-stage startup or a high-pressure "overdrive" environment. 

● Ability to use prototyping or schematic capture software (e.g., CAD, MATLAB). 

● Experience with ERP systems or supporting a first-time ERP implementation. 

● Experience with suppliers from all over the world.