Amazon loses devices VP and CEO adviser days after new launches

Amazon will lose a senior leader from its devices division after vice president Rob Williams announced plans to retire, Reuters reported.

Williams, who serves as vice president of device software and services and sits on Amazon’s S-team of top executives advising CEO Andy Jassy, will step down from his post and leave the company at the end of 2025, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.

Amazon confirmed the memo after a request for comment, Reuters said.

In the memo, Panos Panay, senior vice president of devices and services, said Williams had decided to retire after 12 years at Amazon. “Rob has had a big impact on the software and experiences of nearly all of the products we’ve created and shipped,” Panay wrote.

Williams will remain an adviser to Panay and a member of the S-team through the end of 2025, according to the memo.

Panay also outlined organisational changes. The Alexa Smart Vehicle team will be folded into the wider Alexa group, and Tapas Roy, formerly vice president of Fire TV product and engineering, will move into Williams’ role.

The S-team, or senior leadership team, comprises about 29 executives and is regarded internally as a key advisory group with direct access to Amazon’s CEO. Departures from the group are uncommon, Reuters reported. Williams joined the S-team in late 2022.

Career and event participation

Williams attended Amazon’s devices event in New York earlier in the week, where the company unveiled refreshed Echo smart speakers, colour Kindle e-readers and upgraded Fire TV models.

In a LinkedIn post, Williams said he had been working on his exit for much of the year but stayed on to support the most recent launches. He said he would not disclose his plans beyond his advisory role through 2025.

Earlier this week, Williams also used LinkedIn to highlight the launch of Amazon’s new operating system, Vega, which will power upcoming Fire TV products, including a streaming stick releasing later this month. He wrote that the system is designed to improve speed and reduce costs compared with Android, which Amazon is phasing out in some devices.

Devices division challenges

The devices and services unit has been under pressure after multiple rounds of layoffs. Reuters reported in August that Amazon has been restructuring the division, including a multi-year project to enhance Alexa with generative artificial intelligence. Progress has been slow, and profitability remains unclear.

The company is also shifting Fire tablets onto Android software, while simultaneously pushing Vega across Fire TV.

With Williams’ departure planned, Roy will assume leadership of device software and services, while Panay consolidates teams under the Alexa organisation. Williams’ advisory role is expected to continue until his formal retirement at the end of next year.

Amazon has not provided further details on succession planning or changes to its broader leadership team.