Amazon’s record layoff plans this year have already drawn considerable attention, and the latest data shows that engineers at the organization faced a significant portion of the heat. Last month, Amazon reportedly cut thousands of engineers as part of its sprawling plans to downsize its workforce to make more room for its AI push. Initial reports indicated that around 30,000 employees could be affected by the cuts, but the numbers were later settled at 14,000 employees overall. The company has begun making progress towards these ambitious restructuring goals, and it appears that its engineers are facing the effects most significantly.
Around 40% of the Amazon layoffs in key states appear to have affected engineers in the region. While businesses are scrambling to secure talent in key tech-centric roles, this update has left many confused about the future of employment.
As Amazon’s layoff plans continue to unfold, a surprisingly large number of engineers find themselves at the center of the cuts. (Image: Pexels)
New Reports Suggest Amazon Engineer Accounted for 40% of the October Layoffs
Data from Amazon’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings with state agencies show that 4,700 job cuts were made across New York, California, New Jersey, and Washington. Of these, 40% of the layoffs were centered around engineering roles. Employees affected by the Amazon layoffs can look for opportunities to switch to another position internally, but those who are unable to do so can avail the company’s offer of “transition support, including severance pay, outplacement services, health insurance benefits, and more.”
The numbers do come as a surprise to many, as these jobs have typically been seen as “safe” opportunities that provide long-term stability. In 2025, we have witnessed a widespread shift in the narrative on what jobs guarantee stability on the global AI-driven stage, and few emerge as entirely immune.
Are Engineers and Tech Workers Just as Vulnerable to AI-Centric Job Cuts?
Emerging surveys and studies have tried to estimate which career paths offer the safest options to workers, and professions in customer-facing roles and niche healthcare sectors stand out. Microsoft released a study along these lines, predicting which jobs were most likely to be either replaced by AI or safe from it.
The list of the most AI-safe jobs includes careers like Phlebotomists, Nursing Assistants, Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, Embalmers, and other similar hands-on roles. Engineering roles are no longer rated as highly.
Reports on topics such as the Amazon engineer job cuts add to concerns about the future of employment, as the youth today continue to lose their faith in traditional college degrees. The AI push has convinced many that their roles will soon become redundant, leaving workers scrambling to make their presence felt more significantly in the workforce.
The Amazon Layoffs Are Part of Its Overall AI Push
Amazon’s layoffs aren’t exclusively centered around engineers, but they do represent a significant portion of the employees who have been cut so far at major operation centers. The company has previously pushed to reduce its managerial forces as well, hoping to eliminate some of the complex bureaucracy that has built up over the years.
The company’s effort to restructure its white-collar workforce is one that is very intricately based on a desire for a leaner workforce that can stay “nimble,” but the company is also keen on reserving its resources for AI investments.
In a memo to employees, Human Resources chief Beth Galetti explained, “What we need to remember is that the world is changing quickly. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.” She also added, “We’re convinced that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business.”
Where Do the Layoffs and Restructuring Fit Into the Company’s Culture Shift?
Amazon isn’t shy about making its goals clear, and the company has openly highlighted its revived company culture and overall ambition to operate like the “world’s largest startup.” The company is reportedly looking to automate a large majority of its business in the coming years, with goals that could even lead to the company replacing 600,000 workers with robots by 2033. This particular strategy is more centered on warehouse roles, however, workers with desk jobs are facing a similar threat from AI.
From its rigid RTO policy to its stance on meritocracy, the company’s culture reset is all about tightening the reins on employee freedom and doubling down on productivity gains. The company has begun to redefine what it means to be a business leader, and employees who don’t want to comply may not be around long enough to make a fuss. That isn’t to say that Amazon hasn’t made any investments in its workers.
In September, the company announced a $1 billion investment in employee benefits, promising modest pay raises to workers in the U.S. fulfillment and transportation division, along with promises of lowered healthcare fees. These changes could be beneficial to a significant number of workers, but with Amazon’s record layoffs, not as many of them may be around to enjoy the full range of benefits on offer. With some Amazon engineers having already been affected by the layoffs, more cuts in their department and others are expected to unfold in January 2026.
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