Junior Amazon Coding Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Amazon Optics is transforming enterprise security through modern AI-powered solutions that integrate video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection systems. As a Software Development Engineer III, you'll work on complex technical challenges across all major domains of physical security, designing scalable systems that eliminate dependencies on third-party platforms while delivering cohesive, flexible security solutions.
You'll lead technical projects that refactor legacy systems and introduce innovative approaches to physical security management. Working with AI analytics and advanced software architecture, you'll solve problems that directly impact Amazon's security posture while mentoring junior engineers and driving engineering excellence across the team.
Key job responsibilities
- Lead complex technical projects spanning video management, access control, and intrusion detection systems, balancing speed of delivery with long-term architectural foundations
- Design and implement scalable software solutions using optimal data structures and algorithms while considering performance, security, and maintainability tradeoffs
- Mentor junior engineers through code reviews, technical guidance, and collaborative problem-solving on multi-person projects
- Drive adoption of engineering best practices and establish robust software development culture with exemplary coding standards
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refactor legacy systems and resolve architectural deficiencies that impact team innovation
A day in the life
You'll start your day reviewing code from junior engineers, providing constructive feedback that helps them grow while ensuring architectural consistency. You might spend time designing solutions for integrating new AI analytics capabilities into existing security workflows, then collaborate with other teams to align on technical strategies. Your afternoon could involve leading technical discussions about system trade-offs, writing documentation for complex designs, or hands-on coding to solve challenging performance problems across video surveillance and access control systems.
About the team
Amazon Optics is the singular enterprise security product that's revolutionizing how organizations manage physical security infrastructure. Our team builds AI-powered solutions that integrate video management, access control, and intrusion detection into one cohesive platform, eliminating the complexity of disparate third-party systems.
We're focused on raising Amazon's security bar while delivering flexible, scalable solutions for our customers. The team values mentorship, technical excellence, and innovative problem-solving as we build the future of enterprise security technology.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon Security values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Why Amazon Security?
At Amazon, security is central to maintaining customer trust and delivering delightful customer experiences. Our organization is responsible for creating and maintaining a high bar for security across all of Amazon's products and services. We offer talented security professionals the chance to accelerate their careers with opportunities to build experience in a wide variety of areas including cloud, devices, retail, entertainment, healthcare, operations, and physical stores.
Inclusive Team Culture
In Amazon Security, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Ongoing DEI events and learning experiences inspire us to continue learning and to embrace our uniqueness. Addressing the toughest security challenges requires that we seek out and celebrate a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and voices.
Training & Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, training, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 5+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
- 5+ years of leading design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 168,100.00 - 227,400.00 USD annually