Amazon Gears Up to Cut 30,000 Jobs in Biggest Restructuring Wave

Amazon is preparing to slash its corporate workforce significantly, with plans in next weeks to cut approximately 30,000 positions across multiple departments. According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the restructuring, this represents the largest jobs reduction in the company’s history—nearly 10% of Amazon’s 1.58 million corporate employees. The cuts are set to roll out in phases, with the next round of layoffs potentially beginning in early February 2026, marking a continuation of the workforce adjustments the tech giant initiated in late 2025.

The Scale and Timeline: What’s Next for Amazon’s Workforce

The initial wave in October 2025 saw approximately 14,000 office positions eliminated—roughly half of the planned total. The upcoming jobs reductions will follow a similar magnitude, affecting teams distributed across Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources departments. While the final specifics remain fluid, the company has outlined a structured approach to these workforce adjustments, signaling that the cuts will be methodical rather than sudden. This phased reduction reflects Amazon’s attempt to balance operational needs with organizational stability.

Where the Job Cuts Will Impact Most

AWS, as Amazon’s most profitable division, may face proportionate cuts despite being a core growth engine. Retail, though foundational to Amazon’s business model, is expected to see significant position eliminations. Prime Video and human resources functions are also slated for restructuring, though the exact percentage breakdown across departments is still being finalized. The geographic and functional distribution of these jobs cuts underscores Amazon’s effort to reshape its corporate structure systematically.

Behind the Cuts: More Than Just AI

CEO Andy Jassy provided insight into the reasoning behind the jobs reductions, clarifying that they are not primarily driven by cost-cutting alone or the rise of artificial intelligence. Instead, Jassy framed the restructuring as an effort to eliminate bureaucratic layers and enhance corporate culture. However, in early 2025, Jassy acknowledged that Amazon’s long-term workforce trajectory will likely decline as AI automation increasingly handles routine and repetitive tasks. The dual narrative—reducing bureaucracy while acknowledging AI’s role—reflects the broader corporate trend of deploying artificial intelligence to streamline operations and reduce dependency on human resources for routine functions. Many major corporations are now leveraging AI for software code generation and task automation, making Amazon’s workforce shift part of a larger industry movement toward efficiency-driven restructuring.