Systems Development Engineer Amazon Jobs in Dumfries, VA

Are you passionate about security and building systems that protect critical infrastructure at scale? Do you want to join a team that invents, scales, and operates foundational security services used across all of Amazon?
The Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) Security Systems Engineering (AS2E) team is responsible for building, deploying, and maintaining the security services that secure our systems, processes, and data in US Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) Regions. We build authentication, authorization, and enforcement services used across diverse internal teams as they deliver services for our customers. We support all of Amazon.com and AWS with our services, and need solution-oriented thinkers who are passionate about solving problems at scale, thinking through edge cases, and iterating quickly to delight our customers.
You'll love this team if you are curious about how we design security into the cloud and Amazon infrastructure - from the minute a server hits our data center through how we securely administer and operate services. We are looking for engineers who think deeply about problems, are creative, and think outside the box in ways that benefit our customers. We are a team of out-of-the-box thinkers who iterate quickly and build secure systems that are easy to use.
This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph. The position further requires the candidate to opt into a commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, develop, and deploy scalable security solutions across thousands of devices in ADC regions, continuously improving processes to handle massive-scale operations
- Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve production software issues across multiple languages (Python, Java, TypeScript, Bash, Ruby) on Linux-based systems
- Develop tools, automation, and monitoring solutions to reduce manual toil and improve operational excellence, leveraging AI/ML capabilities and large language models where appropriate
- Conduct deep-dive troubleshooting and technical post-mortems to identify root causes of complex issues spanning distributed systems
- Proactively address system variances affecting major services, investigating service inter-dependencies and region-specific configurations across Linux environments
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize cloud infrastructure maintenance and drive positive customer experiences
- Design new systems, review code, perform design reviews, and contribute to org-wide initiatives that improve the builder experience, including AI-assisted development workflows
- Apply strong Linux systems administration skills (networking, process management, filesystems, security hardening) to support operational and development work
- Leverage generative AI tools and prompt engineering techniques to accelerate development, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance code quality
- Mentor other engineers and contribute to a culture of knowledge-sharing and technical excellence
A day in the life
As a System Development Engineer II, you will collaborate with internal service teams to enhance system health, maintainability, and operational efficiency. Your work will involve improving tooling and product builds, ensuring that our systems run smoothly and effectively. You will tackle complex technical challenges faced by our customers, providing scalable solutions to advanced problems.
The primary focus of the team is on the growth and delivery of Security Services in ADC regions. Working in a high-trust environment, you will partner closely with internal service teams to quickly resolve issues through code, driving positive customer experiences. You will work as part of a team ensuring no one is on an island, and you will be empowered to learn new skills and build new products where you see a need for our customers.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
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 we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and 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, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred 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.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree, or CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional)
- Experience leading the design, automation, deployment, and support of large-scale infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- 2+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 4+ years of administrative experience in networking, storage systems, operating systems and hands-on systems engineering experience
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of TS/SCI with Polygraph
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)
- Knowledge of database systems and SQL
- 4+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 4+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
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 - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually