Amazon Data Services, Inc. | Optical Network Development Engineer, DRES | lynnwood, wa

Do you like to use network and Unix systems engineering to deliver simple, sustainable, and repeatable solutions? Would you like to play a key role in driving the stability and sustainability of next-generation IP networks?
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.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
The Core Networking team is looking for an Optical Network Development Engineer to join our Network Product Development (NPD) team. As an Optical Network Development Engineer, you will be responsible for building, deploying and scaling the Amazon networks that support AWS, customers, and other business units, across multiple global data centers.
AWS Core Networking is focused on building Data Centers and the network that allows Data Centers to function efficiently. They own the solutions that allow racks to be aggregated and Data Centers to be interconnected. Core Networking’s goal is to balance efficiency, performance and reliability to allow customers access to their applications and data.
Key job responsibilities
Optical Network Development Engineers perform high quality network and/or systems operations, deployments, scaling, technology refresh, sustaining engineering, best practices application, optimization, internal/external customer interactions, and produce appropriate technical documentation.
• Collaborate with vendors/manufacturers to evaluate new hardware and software features. Create implementations plans for incorporating them into the network.
• Automate optical test plans and qualify optical modules.
• Collaborate with vendors/manufactures in defining and developing test plans for Optical Modules.
• Work with network operations team in identifying operation issues and improving quality and RMA process.
A day in the life
• On an everyday basis as part of our team, you have the unique opportunity to understand the growing AWS network and our internal customers’ requirement on interconnect solutions. You'll work backwards to devise hardware solutions by influencing the broad industry and/or to develop software tools with sister teams to maintain a highly available network that delights AWS customers. You design and implement processes and mechanisms that both help the team to deliver business impact to the organization in a systemic way, while also helping to raise the bar on our operational excellence.
• Operating at the scale we do, there is no blueprint for how to do what we do, which encourages our engineers to identify and develop simple solutions to complex problems. We encourage durable solutions that look around corners while taking into consideration our customer needs from a cost, performance, and reliability perspective. We work closely with our internal partners that design, build and operate the network to ensure that our solutions meet their needs and exceed their expectations.
About the team
The InterDC Optical Services team is responsible for the development, delivery and lifecycle support of the optical products used to interconnect AWS Data Centers and PoPs (Point of presence), ensuring diversity of supply and continually lowering data transfer cost for customers. This product portfolio serves a broad customer base and is primarily used to transport Core (EC2 & Prod) and Border (Internet) traffic in and across all but a few AWS commercial and ADC regions globally. Our current network size is >10Pbps of inter data center traffic over >30k devices worldwide and our team is structured to create and evolve these products and solutions while providing highly available, secure and scalable transport for multiple customer fabrics globally.
Working at AWS in the Core Networking Team
- Meet Matt, Director, Core Networking --- Meet Kensie, Network Development Engineer --- AWS
Diverse Experiences
AWS 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 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.
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 (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & 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.
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.
EEO/Accommodations
AWS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace to deliver the best results for our customers. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status; we celebrate the diverse ways we work. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please let us know and we will connect you to our accommodation team. You may also reach them directly by visiting please QUALIFICATIONS- • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering or equivalent worked experience.
- • 4+ years of work experience on optical communication systems or components.
- • 4+ years of experiencer with optical transceivers and IEEE standards.
- • 2+ years of experience developing test scripts for optics validation and characterization.
- • 1+ years of experience working with optical and networking merchant silicon suppliers, manufacturing processes, and qualifications.
- • 1+ years of professional development experience with Python or a similar scripting language for automation scripting.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- • PhD or foreign equivalent in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering or a related field.
- • In depth expertise in hardware and systems design and development.
- • Expertise in debugging and troubleshooting hardware.
- • Experience working with ODM and CM suppliers of Optical Modules.
- • Experience in the product development lifecycle.
- • Ability to innovate or invent network solutions to business problems.
Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $127,400/year in our lowest geographic market up to $212,800/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

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