Amazon announced Wednesday that it is cutting 250 jobs in its devices and services unit, primarily in software development, as part of a review to improve efficiency.
The cuts come after a string of product launches, including new Kindle e‑readers and tablet computers, and a planned Alexa‑powered alarm clock and photo frame that the company unveiled earlier this week.
Cherie Robinson, Amazon's human resources vice president for devices and services, said the decision followed a "thorough review of our structure" and would help align the team with the product roadmap. She added that the layoffs would not affect the company's long‑term product strategy.
Employees were notified early Wednesday morning via text and email. One affected developer, 32‑year‑old Rajesh Kumar, said the message arrived in the middle of a morning coffee break and he now faces an uncertain job market.
Amazon had already shed about 1,000 positions in its core retail division earlier this month. The company will assess the cost savings after posting its Q3 earnings on Thursday, and a board meeting on May 15 will review the workforce strategy.