Optical Network Dev Engineer, Optical Services Team (AWS)

Amazon Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Amazon is seeking an Optical Network Dev Engineer in Seattle to design, build, and operate advanced DWDM optical networks across AWS data centers and PoPs. You will collaborate with vendors to evaluate features, automate test plans, and drive scalable networking solutions that reduce cost per bit while improving reliability.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, hands-on engineering, and ongoing operational excellence in a fast-paced cloud environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of network analysis fundamentals and robust troubleshooting.
• 1+ years of work experience on optical communication systems, networking planning and optimization.
• 1+ years of work experience on operating and maintaining optical (DWDM) networks.
• 1+ years of professional development experience with Python or a similar scripting language for automation scripting.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with vendors/manufacturers to evaluate new hardware and software features. Create implementation plans for incorporating them into the network.
• Automate optical test plans and qualify optical modules.
• Collaborate with vendors/manufacturers in defining and developing test plans for Optical Modules.
• Create processes that help operate and build our DWDM network. Drive scaling current DWDM designs to meet the demand of our customers.
• Drive operational excellence projects to deliver improvements in our DWDM network quality and reliability.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Python scripting

Optical DWDM knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Unix

Perl

Shell

C/C++

Job description

Optical Network Dev Engineer, Optical Services Team

Job ID: 10536439 | Amazon Data Services, Inc.

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. 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?

Key job responsibilities

• 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/manufacturers in defining and developing test plans for Optical Modules.
• Create processes that help operate and build our DWDM network. Drive scaling current DWDM designs to meet the demand of our customers.
• Drive operational excellence projects to deliver improvements in our DWDM network quality and reliability.

A day in the life

Engineers in the InterDC Optical services team have a wide range of responsibilities. In terms of product development and delivery, it covers all activities related to hardware and software development, cross-platforms and software integration, and transition to production for both in‑house commodity and OEM optical platforms. From the lifecycle support perspective, includes day to day operations on‑call, sustaining engineering, operational load automation and reduction, product and network security, network data integrity and authoritativeness, availability assurance (SRLG monitoring) and improvement (OLP, RFTS) and fiber infrastructure and vendor performance management. Our engineers not only make decisions on day‑to‑day work but they also own the long‑term strategic view, they build strong partnership with customers to understand their immediate and future needs, their use cases and the things that we/they are not even thinking about so we make sure our solutions will fit into their needs. They bring perspective and context to influence the way we make technology and design choices, how we develop and deliver products that are right sized, fungible and future proof at the optimum cost per bit. They understand the business impact of their recommendations and show good judgment in decision making as we consider technical trade-offs between the immediate short‑term technology solutions, operational needs and the long‑term business needs.

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: https://youtu.be/DqTStjRtjX4

Meet Kensie, Network Development Engineer: https://youtu.be/ezF3kpUAhWU

About the team

About AWS

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.

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.

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.

Inclusive Team Culture

AWS values curiosity and connection. Our employee‑led and company‑sponsored affinity groups promote inclusion and empower our people to take pride in what makes us unique. Our inclusion events foster stronger, more collaborative teams. Our continual innovation is fueled by the bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and passionate voices our teams bring to everything we do.

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.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Knowledge of network analysis fundamentals and robust troubleshooting
• 1+ years of work experience on optical communication systems, networking planning and optimization.
• 1+ years of work experience on operating and maintaining optical (DWDM) networks
• 1+ years of professional development experience with Python or a similar scripting language for automation scripting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Unix and scripting in Perl, shell, C or C++
• Experience working with customers to diagnose a problem and work towards resolution
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, rapidly changing operations environment
• Thorough understanding of deploying and operating high capacity DWDM and Optical network systems
• Good automation scripting using Python, Bash, Shell and/or Perl 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, WA, Seattle - 114,100.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually