Amazon dedicates new office to Alexa development

Amazon’s newest tech hub will double its workforce in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Planning to create 150 additional tech jobs in Santa Barbara, Amazon has opened a new 48,000-sq.-ft. office for Alexa tech teams located in downtown. Employees located there will focus on developing new ways to integrate Alexa’s artificial intelligence (AI) and voice technology in devices such as Amazon Echo and Fire TV. 

The Santa Barbara-based teams work with scientists in Amazon’s development center in Cambridge, England in this effort. Amazon is currently hiring for what it says are dozens of open roles in Santa Barbara.

The new Amazon office includes energy-efficient appliances and sensors to reduce energy and water consumption, enhanced bike storage and lockers to encourage alternate modes of commuting, and open spaces to enhance collaboration and innovation between teams.

“We have been able to hire great talent in Santa Barbara and look forward to doubling our workforce here,” said Kevin Davis, site lead of Amazon’s Santa Barbara office. “Santa Barbara is an incredibly welcoming city with a high quality of life and innovative culture – and we’re excited to create more jobs, and continue to invest locally in the community.”

Amazon says it has created more than 45,000 full-time jobs in California since 2010 and invested over $34.5 billion in the state, including infrastructure and compensation to its employees.