Optical Network Engineer, Data Center Regional Engineering Services (DRES)

Amazon is hiring an Optical Network Engineer, Data Center Regional Engineering Services (DRES) in Seattle, United States. It pays $136k-$184k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this role: aI is not part of the work.
Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
Level lists 20,000+ other open roles at Amazon.

AI in this role

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 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 Data Center Regional Network Engineering Services team. As an Optical Network Development Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, deploying and scaling the Amazon networks that support AWS, customers, and other business units, across multiple global data centers.

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.
• 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/manufactures in defining and developing test plans for Optical Modules.
• Work with network operations team in identifying operation issues and improving quality and RMA process.

A day in the life
• On an everyday basis as part of our team, you have the unique opportunity to understand the growing AWS network and our internal customers’ requirement on interconnect solutions. You'll work backwards to devise hardware solutions by influencing the broad industry and/or to develop software tools with sister teams to maintain a highly available network that delights AWS customers. You design and implement processes and mechanisms that both help the team to deliver business impact to the organization in a systemic way, while also helping to raise the bar on our operational excellence.
• Operating at the scale we do, there is no blueprint for how to do what we do, which encourages our engineers to identify and develop simple solutions to complex problems. We encourage durable solutions that look around corners while taking into consideration our customer needs from a cost, performance, and reliability perspective. We work closely with our internal partners that design, build and operate the network to ensure that our solutions meet their needs and exceed their expectations.

Basic qualifications

- 4+ years of major internet routing protocols experience
- 4+ years of working in a Linux/Unix environment experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
- 3+ years of work in large-scale networking environments experience
- Experience using modeling, project management, CAD and software programming tools
- Experience with programming/scripting (Batch, VB, PowerShell, Java, C#, Chef, Perl, Ruby and/or PHP), or experience with automation and any version control tools and experience in networking administration and troubleshooting
- Experience leading process improvements

Preferred qualifications

- 1+ years of automation scripting using Python, Bash, Shell and/or Perl experience
- Experience with network hardware: copper and optical fiber cabling, switches, routers
- Experience working in a Linux/Unix environment
- Experience with automation or working with scripting languages like Python, Java, Perl, PHP, Ruby, Bash, Shell, or equivalent
- Experience in operations of highly available and scalable internet systems with a large customer base

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

How we rate this

Optical Network Engineer, Data Center Regional Engineering Services (DRES) at Amazon rates 37 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Optical Network Engineer, Data Center Regional Engineering Services (DRES) is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $136k-$184k a year.
The role is based in US, WA, Seattle.
The job was posted on March 24, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by Amazon. Apply on Amazon