Optical Network Development Engineer, Core Networking

Company: Amazon
Location: Seattle
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

If you like to work with new technologies and optimizing existing technology have experience participating in network/systems support for a large-scale enterprise or service provider environment, we would like to meet you. Your work will 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 Inter-DC & Optical 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 datacenters. 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. • Create and implement changes on the network. • Work closely with our automation teams in defining the tools that allow us to scale at higher volume. • Lead network projects in the areas of network sustaining engineering, network deployment/implementation, network scaling, technology refresh, best practices application, and/or network optimization. • Sustain Amazon Web Services’ next generation networks for significant AWS customers by providing critical network support to diagnose, mitigate impact, and resolve large-scale networking events. • Operate and troubleshoot network routing, interconnectivity, platforms, performance, and configurations issues; including necessary low-level application interaction, Unix systems, and new age networking software tools. • Drive and support innovation from Top of Rack to the Network Border and everything in between. • Partner with our broader Network/Infrastructure organization in the areas of network engineering, configurations standards, and tools. • Work closely with our Network/Systems/Software Engineering teams to ensure fast, smooth roll-out of new designs and products, as well as assist with deployment and sustaining of networking software tools. • Maintain standards across the networking toolset and ensure that we are fully compliant to those standards and policies. • Deliver simple, sustainable and repeatable solutions and processes. • Collaborate with highest tier escalation engineers/resolvers. • Create and review documentation and process regarding network implementation/deployments, recurring issues, new standard operating procedures, knowledge transfer material, etc. A day in the life 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. • Create and implement changes on the network. • Work closely with our automation teams in defining the tools that allow us to scale at higher volume. • Lead network projects in the areas of network sustaining engineering, network deployment/implementation, network scaling, technology refresh, best practices application, and/or network optimization. • Sustain Amazon Web Services’ next generation networks for significant AWS customers by providing critical network support to diagnose, mitigate impact, and resolve large-scale networking events. • Operate and troubleshoot network routing, interconnectivity, platforms, performance, and configurations issues; including necessary low-level application interaction, Unix systems, and new age networking software tools. • Drive and support innovation from Top of Rack to the Network Border and everything in between. • Partner with our broader Network/Infrastructure organization in the areas of network engineering, configurations standards, and tools. • Work closely with our Network/Systems/Software Engineering teams to ensure fast, smooth roll-out of new designs and products, as well as assist with deployment and sustaining of networking software tools. • Maintain standards across the networking toolset and ensure that we are fully compliant to those standards and policies. • Deliver simple, sustainable and repeatable solutions and processes. • Collaborate with highest tier escalation engineers/resolvers. • Create and review documentation and process regarding network implementation/deployments, recurring issues, new standard operating procedures, knowledge transfer material, etc. About the team Engineers in the Core Networking 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 inhouse 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. About the team AWS Core Networking is focused on building Data Centers and the network that allows Data Centers to function efficiently. We 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. 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. The 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. Meet Matt, VP, Core Networking https://youtu.be/DqTStjRtjX4 Meet Kensie, Network Development Engineer https://youtu.be/ezF3kpUAhWU\ - Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science - 4 years experience with the rollout and maintenance of large DWDM Networks and Optical Network Technologies - 4 years of experience with optical planning and modeling tools. - 4 years of experience with optical network design and troubleshooting. - 1 years of professional development experience with Python or a similar tool for network automation scripting. - In depth working knowledge of IP Networking fundamentals. - In depth Unix experience and the ability to script/program in python or a similar scripting language. - Knowledge of L2 and L3 routing. - A relevant degree in a related technical discipline or equivalent experience in a large – scale network environment. - Expert network analysis fundamentals and robust troubleshooting skills. 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 - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually

Keywords: Amazon, Kent , Optical Network Development Engineer, Core Networking, IT / Software / Systems , Seattle, Washington