Applied Scientist, Automated Reasoning

Amazon Web Services (AWS); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. in Arlington, VA seeks an Applied Scientist to advance formal methods, automated reasoning, and neurosymbolic techniques for AWS services.

You will help ensure security, reliability, and correctness for customer applications at Amazon scale. Responsibilities include researching verification approaches, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, mentoring engineers, and publishing findings in peer‑reviewed venues.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience.
• Experience in mathematical logic, formal verification, SAT/SMT, mechanical theorem proving, model checking, or program analysis.
• Experience with proof assistants or verification languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement algorithms and formal methods for automated reasoning to verify correctness, security, and reliability of computing systems.
• Solve large or complex problems with strategic planning and lead design, implementation, and delivery of solutions.
• Develop new decision procedures and search strategies to improve verification tools and deploy production-grade systems at scale.
• Explore generative AI and ML techniques to enhance automated reasoning capabilities and verification of AI-generated code.
• Mentor scientists and engineers on formal methods and neurosymbolic techniques; share knowledge with partner teams.

Skills

mathematical logic

formal verification

satisfiability solving (SAT/SMT)

mechanical theorem proving

model checking

program analysis

neurosymbolic reasoning

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Lean

Dafny

Isabelle

Rocq

Job description

Description

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis

Applied Scientists in AWS Automated Reasoning develop and apply bleeding‑edge formal methods, automated reasoning techniques, and neurosymbolic approaches to ensure the security, reliability, and correctness of Amazon/AWS services and customer applications. Our tools are called billions of times daily, powering the backbone of Amazon's products and services. We are changing the way computer systems are developed and operated, raising the bar for security, durability, availability, and quality.

At Amazon, automated reasoning is central to maintaining customer trust and delivering delightful customer experiences. Application areas span cloud infrastructure verification, cryptographic assurance, AI safety, drone safety, and formal guarantees for generative AI systems. Our methods range from interactive theorem proving and constraint solving to neuro‑inspired proof search.

This is a unique opportunity to get in early on a fast‑growing segment of the business and help shape the technology, product, and business. You will have a chance to utilize your deep technical expertise within a fast‑moving environment and make a large business and customer impact.

Key job responsibilities

• Design and implement algorithms and formal methods for automated reasoning, including constraint solving, model checking, static analysis, theorem proving, and program synthesis to verify the correctness, security, and reliability of computing systems.
• Solve large or significantly complex problems that require deep knowledge and scientific innovation in your domain; own strategic problem solving and take the lead on design, implementation, and delivery of solutions with long‑term quantifiable impact.
• Develop new decision procedures, heuristics, and search strategies that improve the scalability and accuracy of verification tools; build and deploy production‑grade automated reasoning systems at Amazon scale.
• Explore and apply generative AI and machine learning techniques to enhance automated reasoning capabilities, including learning‑based heuristics for search and optimization, neural approaches to symbolic reasoning, and methods for verifying the correctness of AI‑generated code.
• Develop automated reasoning techniques for generative AI and agentic coding systems, including methods for ensuring the safety and alignment of autonomous software agents and applying formal guarantees to large language model outputs.
• Conduct original research snd publish findings in peer‑reviewed venues.
• Work with customer teams to understand the nature of their software and the properties they need to establish; identify tools and methods capable of addressing verification needs, including novel analysis capabilities.
• Provide cross‑organizational technical influence, increasing productivity and effectiveness by sharing deep knowledge and experience; collaborate with partner teams to translate verification capabilities into production systems.
• Mentor scientists and engineers on formal methods, neurosymbolic techniques, and best practices for building reliable automated reasoning systems; assist in career development of others.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience
• Experience in any of the following areas: mathematical logic, formal verification, satisfiability solving (eg SAT/SMT), mechanical theorem proving, model checking, or program analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in professional software development
• Experience applying formal methods or automated reasoning to real‑world software, security, or systems problems
• Experience with proof assistants or verification languages such as Lean, Dafny, Isabelle, or Rocq
• Experience programming in OCaml, Haskell, Rust, Scala, Kotlin, or a related language

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants

Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.

USA, CA, San Francisco - 192,200.00 - 260,000.00 USD annually

USA, CA, Santa Clara - 192,200.00 - 260,000.00 USD annually

USA, CO, Denver - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, DC, Washington - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, MA, Boston - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, NY, New York - 183,800.00 - 248,700.00 USD annually

USA, OR, Portland - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, TX, Austin - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, VA, ARLINGTON - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, VA, Arlington - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

Company

Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.

Job ID: A10502706