Major Corporate Restructuring: Amazon Cuts 16,000 Jobs
In a significant corporate restructuring move, Amazon announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that it is cutting approximately 16,000 jobs across the company. This marks the second major round of layoffs since October 2025.
Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, announced the cuts in a memo to employees. She stated that the reductions aim to “strengthen our organization by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy.”
The layoffs follow 14,000 job cuts made in October, bringing the total to 30,000 jobs eliminated in just three months.
The tech giant is offering most US-based affected employees 90 days to look for internal positions. Simultaneously, it’s planning to invest heavily in strategic areas, particularly artificial intelligence infrastructure. Amazon expects capital expenditures to reach $125 billion in 2026, the highest spending forecast among megacap tech companies. The primary focus will be directed toward AI data centers and advanced computer chips.
The job cuts come as Amazon, along with other tech giants including Meta, Microsoft, and Pinterest, continues to restructure operations while funneling billions into AI capabilities. Despite the workforce reductions, Amazon emphasized it will continue hiring in strategic functions critical to its future growth.
Source: NBC News