Sr Software Engineer - BIOS, AWS Hardware Engineering, Firmware Development

Socket.dev; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to advanced hardware labs and 0

Job summary

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking a senior BIOS/firmware engineer to design and implement UEFI/BIOS features for our server platforms. You will lead complex firmware projects, collaborate with silicon vendors, ODMs, and internal hardware teams to bring up new platforms and improve boot-time performance.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of non-internship experience in embedded or BIOS/UEFI development, strong C for bare-metal firmware, and a track record in architecture leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of non‑internship professional software development experience.
• 6+ years of bare-metal firmware or BIOS/UEFI development experience in C.
• Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team.
• 6+ years of design or architecture leadership of new and existing systems.
• Experience collaborating with silicon vendors on platform bring-up and reference code integration.
• Strong knowledge of x86 architecture, secure boot implementations, and firmware security features.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement custom UEFI/BIOS features for AWS server platforms.
• Debug complex firmware issues using ITP, ScanTool, and JTAG.
• Optimize boot time performance and platform initialization sequences.
• Implement secure boot mechanisms and firmware security features.
• Develop and maintain POST code and firmware update/recovery solutions.
• Work with hardware teams on board bring-up and platform validation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior BIOS engineers.

Skills

Firmware development

Bare-metal programming

C programming

Leadership

Platform bring-up

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Tools

JTAG

EDK II/Coreboot

ACPI

Job description

About the team

The AWS BIOS Engineering team creates and maintains custom firmware solutions for Amazon's innovative server platforms. Our BIOS/UEFI implementations are industry-leading in security, performance, and operational excellence, and are critical to the success of AWS's massive-scale infrastructure that millions of customers rely on daily. Our BIOS engineers solve complex firmware challenges and build robust, secure bootloader solutions that enable AWS to maintain its competitive edge in data center infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will be a senior firmware engineer with 7+ years of hands‑on embedded or BIOS/UEFI development experience. You will bring deep expertise in x86 platform architecture, secure boot implementations, and low‑level system programming. You will have a track record of leading complex firmware projects end‑to‑end and collaborating with silicon vendors on platform bring‑up and reference code integration. You will gain intimate understanding of AWS's custom server firmware stack and analyze it for both current needs and future scalability. You will leverage your system‑level expertise to find optimal solutions to complex boot‑time challenges. You will collaborate with internal teams (hardware, validation, security) and external partners (silicon vendors, ODMs) while leading critical firmware development efforts.

What you will do

• Design and implement custom UEFI/BIOS features for AWS server platforms
• Debug complex firmware issues using tools like ITP, ScanTool, and JTAG
• Optimize boot time performance and platform initialization sequences
• Implement secure boot mechanisms and firmware security features
• Develop and maintain Power‑On Self Test (POST) code
• Create firmware update mechanisms and recovery solutions
• Work with hardware teams on board bring‑up and platform validation

Why it matters

AWS's custom server platforms require specialized firmware solutions that maximize performance, security, and reliability at scale. Your BIOS developments will directly impact millions of servers running in AWS data centers worldwide, requiring unique optimizations that benefit our infrastructure and customers.

Why you will love it

• Work on cutting‑edge server platforms and next‑generation silicon
• Direct impact on AWS infrastructure efficiency and security
• Ownership of critical firmware components from design through deployment
• Collaboration with industry leaders in data center infrastructure
• Access to advanced hardware labs and debug equipment
• Opportunity to influence future server architecture decisions
• Work with a team of experienced firmware engineers
• Join our diverse engineering organization where you'll help deliver the firmware foundation for AWS's global infrastructure. You'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes innovative ideas and empowers you to own complex technical challenges through to completion.

Key job responsibilities

UEFI/BIOS Development

• Develop and maintain UEFI/BIOS code for server platforms
• Implement ACPI tables and power management features
• Create and maintain Platform Reference Code (PRC)
• Debug complex firmware issues using ITP, and JTAG tools

ODM/OEM Collaboration

• Work directly with ODM partners
• Coordinate BIOS development efforts
• Review and validate ODM-provided BIOS code
• Support manufacturing bring‑up and validation

Platform Integration

• Interface with CPU/GPU vendors (Intel, AMD and Nvidia) for new platform bring‑up
• Integrate and rebase Reference Code packages
• Support system validation and debugging

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in advanced features
• Mentor junior BIOS engineers
• Review technical specifications and design documents
• Lead architecture discussions and technical planning
• Establish coding standards and best practices

Project Management

• Coordinate between international teams (US and Taiwan)
• Track project timelines and deliverables
• Interface with product management and customer teams

Ecosystem Management

• Maintain relationships with silicon vendors
• Participate in industry forums and standards bodies
• Keep up with emerging technologies and industry trends

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.

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.

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.

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 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‑round professional.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of non‑internship professional software development experience
• 6+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
• 6+ years of leading design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
• Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team
• 6+ years of bare‑metal firmware OR BIOS/UEFI development experience in C (not embedded Linux or kernel driver development)
• 6+ years of bare‑metal firmware development experience in C on MCUs, SoCs, or server platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
• BIOS/UEFI/EDK2/Coreboot development experience on x86 or ARM server platforms
• Experience with ACPI, SMM, PCIe enumeration, secure boot, or platform RAS features
• Experience interfacing with silicon vendors (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA) on reference code integration

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.

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.

• 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
• parental leave

USA, CA, Cupertino - 193,300.00 - 261,500.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 168,100.00 - 227,400.00 USD annually