Press Release: 5/2/2025

From the Navy to Amazon: Leading Manufacturing Innovation

 

Posted on May 1, 2025

Editor’s Note: May is National Military Appreciation Month. Erika McClosky’s professional path—beginning in naval operations and culminating in her current role directing advanced robotics production in Massachusetts at Amazon—represents the valuable expertise military veterans bring to American industry. As businesses nationwide acknowledge former service personnel this month, McClosky exemplifies how military-honed skills transform into innovative leadership within manufacturing sectors. Her career demonstrates the lasting positive influence that armed forces experience has on technological development and industrial capabilities across the United States.

By Erika McClosky

Director of Global Robotics Manufacturing & Technical Operations

Amazon

When visitors tour our Amazon Global Robotics facilities in North Reading and Westborough, Massachusetts, their eyes widen at the sight of our robots taking shape on the assembly line. As the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial mobile robots—with more than 750,000 built and deployed across our network to date—we’re constantly pushing boundaries. Our newest mobile robot, Proteus, is Amazon’s first autonomous mobile robot. Proteus can navigate freely within its work area in our fulfillment centers and detect and avoid objects, allowing it to work safely alongside our employees. Leading this remarkable operation, where cutting-edge technology meets precision manufacturing at scale, has been the most rewarding chapter of my manufacturing career—a journey that began in a place far removed from robotics assembly lines.

Military Beginnings

My manufacturing journey started more than 20 years ago as a Supply Corps Officer in the U.S. Navy. During Operation Enduring Freedom, I was involved in manufacturing, kitting, and logistics support. At the time, I couldn’t precisely identify why, but I knew I deeply enjoyed the work.

The military provided more than technical training—it offered profound leadership lessons. One transformative moment occurred early in my career when I recommended removing a struggling seaman from service. My superior challenged me with a question I’ve never forgotten: “What have you done to invest in this shipmate?”

His message was clear and has guided me ever since: someone willing to discard talent without first investing in it will never be a true leader. I changed course, provided proper guidance and support to the team member, and watched her exceed all expectations.

Finding My Factory Passion

Years after my military service, while working in aerospace, I was advised to take a factory role merely to “check a box” for career advancement. I reluctantly agreed, planning a brief six-month stint before moving on to something else.

That temporary assignment revealed my true calling. I discovered a genuine passion for factory work—solving complex problems, witnessing the impressive coordination of people, processes, parts, and equipment, and seeing tangible outputs. Above all, I found inspiration in the ingenuity, work ethic, and teamwork of the people on the manufacturing floor.

As I’ve progressed to larger leadership roles, including my current position at Amazon, I’ve had to adapt my approach. Instead of spending days on the factory floor diving deep into specific problems, my job now focuses on setting the vision and ensuring solid long-term execution plans.

Leadership Philosophy

My leadership approach is built around a central belief: create an environment where the mission is crystal clear, team members receive proper training and development, and leadership actively invests in people’s success. When these conditions exist, people don’t just meet expectations—they surpass them.

At our robotics facilities, we put this philosophy into practice daily. Each assembly line has a dedicated number of stations, with employees performing different parts of the robot assembly process. This structure provides clarity while still allowing room for innovation and problem-solving.

Success in manufacturing isn’t measured solely by production metrics. True success means building sustainable systems and capabilities that outlast any individual’s contributions. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

I’ve consistently found that when you focus on these fundamental elements—clear mission, proper training, and genuine investment in people—the traditional metrics of success (production numbers, efficiency gains, cost savings) naturally follow.

Embracing Failure

Looking back on my career, my “failure rate” is likely higher than most—something I’m actually proud of. I’ve tried and failed countless times but have always made it a point to reflect deeply on each failure to understand its root causes.

Each day at our facilities, where we produce hundreds of robots, presents new challenges. From assembly to testing, where newly built robots drive themselves into “verifiers” (named after superheroes by our team) to ensure they can lift hundreds of pounds, we constantly iterate and improve.

Massachusetts: An Innovation Ecosystem

Massachusetts has proven to be the perfect home for our advanced manufacturing operations. The state has established itself as a unique innovation ecosystem, particularly for robotics and advanced manufacturing. Its combination of world-class academic institutions, deep talent pool, and collaborative business environment creates an ideal setting for businesses like ours to thrive.

What makes Massachusetts truly special is its ability to blend deep manufacturing roots with a forward-looking embrace of emerging technologies. This fusion provides an ideal environment for pushing boundaries in advanced manufacturing and robotics.

Advice for Future Manufacturing Leaders

To young women pursuing careers in manufacturing or technology, I offer this advice: embrace the non-linear nature of career development. Your professional journey is exactly that—a journey, not a straight path from point A to point B. The most successful leaders I’ve encountered have faced significant setbacks, with careers that sometimes moved sideways or even backward before progressing forward.

My key recommendations are straightforward: Be authentically yourself. Ask questions constantly. Work diligently. Say yes to opportunities, even when you don’t feel fully ready. Don’t let fear of mistakes hold you back.

I find it liberating that even now, I don’t have a fixed answer to “what I want to be when I grow up”— and I’m completely at peace with that. The journey itself, with all its twists and turns, is far more enriching than fixating on a specific destination.

People-Centered Manufacturing

When I reflect on my career, what gives me the most pride isn’t the impressive technology we develop or the production milestones we achieve. It’s witnessing the growth and success of team members—seeing them learn, develop, and ultimately thrive, often surpassing their own expectations.

I’ve come to understand that our most lasting impact often comes through the people we help develop. Whether it’s mentoring a junior team member who goes on to lead major projects or seeing a colleague take on a leadership role elsewhere, these moments define success.

In the end, that’s what manufacturing leadership is truly about—building not just products, but people and teams that will drive innovation forward long after we’re gone.