Amazon

System Development Engineer II, AWS DC Central Operations

Amazon$129K — $174K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
  • Experience with large-scale infrastructure automation and support
  • Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as Python or Java
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipeline processes
  • 2+ years in designing or architecting systems for reliability and scalability
  • Knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems
  • Understanding of networking and storage fundamentals

Responsibilities

  • Own AWS infrastructure for multiple accounts, including security and governance
  • Develop and maintain infrastructure-as-code for production services
  • Create deployment automation enabling self-service for Data Engineers and BIEs
  • Establish GenAI platform infrastructure for AI workloads
  • Ensure security compliance through monitoring and patching
  • Mentor junior System Development Engineers in best practices
  • Automate processes to reduce operational overhead and legacy system migration

Benefits

  • Health insurance options including medical, dental, and vision
  • 401(k) matching contributions
  • Generous paid time off policy
  • Parental leave support
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Access to mental health support and employee assistance programs
  • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage
Full Job Description
CIAT is the unified source for Infrastructure Operations data and BI solutions across Amazon's global data center fleet. We build and run the analytics platform that Central Ops leadership uses to manage rack install, decom, repair, logistics, capacity optimization, and network operations. The platform spans a large-scale datalake, multiple Redshift clusters, hundreds of Airflow pipelines, hundreds of AWS accounts, dozens of production QuickSight dashboards, and thousands of active users.

We need a System Development Engineer II to own platform infrastructure - the AWS accounts, application services, deployment automation, security posture, and emerging GenAI capabilities that the rest of the team builds on top of. You'll work with a senior SysDE who sets the technical direction, alongside other SysDEs and a cross-functional team of Data Engineers and BIEs who depend on your platform to ship their work.

The role is split between keeping production running (account governance, security remediation, deployment pipelines, on-call) and building new capabilities (Bedrock integration, QuickSight Q topic infrastructure, agent frameworks, self-service tooling). The GenAI platform work is early-stage - you'll help define the patterns, not just implement someone else's design.

Key job responsibilities

- Own AWS infrastructure across hundreds of accounts - cross-account access patterns, IAM governance, service control policies, LakeFormation permissions

- Build and maintain infrastructure-as-code (CDK/CloudFormation) for production services including LakeSQL, Validation Engine, TEMPO, Langley, CIAuth, and QuickSight

- Build deployment automation and CI/CD that lets Data Engineers and BIEs ship without waiting on a SysDE - the goal is self-service, not gatekeeping

- Stand up GenAI platform infrastructure - Bedrock integration, QuickSight Q topic configuration, agent systems (Spaces, Topics, Knowledge Bases, Actions), cross-account data access for AI workloads

- Drive security and compliance - Mirador/AppSec findings, patching, least-privilege IAM, security posture across production accounts

- Mentor junior SysDEs - break down complex problems into implementable pieces, review CRs, coach on architecture and operational thinking

- Reduce KTLO through automation, legacy system migration (Hammerstone 12 Airflow/NAWS), and better tooling

A day in the life

You might start the day investigating why a cross-account LakeFormation permission is blocking a QuickSight data source, then write a CDK construct so the same misconfiguration can't happen again. Review a CR from a teammate building a Lambda for automated QuickSight group provisioning. Pair with a DE to figure out why their Airflow DAG can't reach a Glue catalog in another account. After lunch, design the infrastructure for a new Bedrock-powered feature in Langley, or write a runbook for something you've seen break twice.

The through-line: you build systems that scale through automation, not through you personally doing things. When something breaks, you fix it and then fix the system. You're always asking "how do I make this self-service so I'm not the bottleneck?"

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure

- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust

- Experience with Linux/Unix

- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes

- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience

- 2+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience

- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with AWS technologies like Redshift, S3, AWS Glue, EMR, Kinesis, FireHose, Lambda, and IAM roles and permissions

- Experience with enterprise-scale infrastructure or development-based cloud programs/projects in a related industry

- Experience contributing to the definition and implementation of automation opportunities within an operations environment

- Experience in Redshift, or experience in any Bigdata architecture and experience in technical support

- Experience working with Data & AI related technologies, including, but not limited to, AI/ML, GenAI, Analytics, Database, and/or Storage

- Experience architecting/operating solutions built on AWS

- Experience in mentoring, leading, or managing more junior engineers

- Experience with large distributed IT systems

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, OH, COLUMBUS - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
NASDAQ

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