Principal Applied Scientist, Amazon Payments

Amazon is hiring a Principal Applied Scientist, Amazon Payments in Seattle, United States. It pays $199k-$269k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this applied scientist role: the job is building AI systems.
The listed pay starts 16% above the typical applied scientist posting on Level.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Python, NLP and machine learning.
Level classifies it as an executive role.
Level lists 20,000+ other open roles at Amazon.

AI in this role

Lead the Amazon Payments AI/M/L team as a Principal Applied Scientist to drive GenAI platforms, recommendation systems, and research-to-production initiatives.

python

nlpmachine-learninggenerative-ainatural-language-processingresearchleadership

We are looking for a Principal Applied Scientist for Amazon Payments AI/ML Team, which contributes science and science-related engineering work for Amazon’s Payments Artificial Intelligence services (e.g. Amazon Payments Recommendation, Prediction, GEN AI platform to enable SOP automation and new projects already underway). In this role, you will work with your peers and senior management to set the direction for Amazon’s AI efforts. Our mission is to put the power of AI in the hands of every developer. You will be responsible for mentoring a team of applied scientists. You will be responsible for creating a strong environment for applied scientists, with a focus on recruiting, retaining and developing top talent. You will partner with engineering leaders to deliver remarkable new Amazon Payments services and features that leverage Machine Learning and GenAI.

As a Principal Applied Scientist, you will identify research directions, create roadmaps for forward-looking research and communicate them to senior leadership, and work closely with engineering teams to bring research to production. You will work with teams of talented scientists, and fill the ranks by attracting the best scientists in machine learning, e.g. Amazon payments recommendation and natural language processing for SOP automation. You will work with talented peers and leverage Amazon’s heterogeneous data sources and large-scale computing resources.

Basic qualifications

- PhD or MSc in computer science or related fields
- 10 + years in AI and Machine Learning in industry and/or academia
- Track record of thought leadership and contributions that have advanced the field
- Strong skills in collaboration and teamwork
- Strong record of delivery in industry and academic contexts
- Ability to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred qualifications

- 12+ years in AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing in industry and/or academia.
- Strong publication history in top publications.

Professional traits that are not unique to this position, but necessary for Amazon leaders:
- Exhibits excellent judgment
- Hires and develops great people
- Has relentlessly high standards (is never satisfied with the status quo)
- Is able to dive deep and is never out of touch with the details of the business or the technology
- Expects and requires innovation of her/his team
- Has the innate ability to inspire passion in others
- Strong results orientation
- Thinks big

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 - 198,900.00 - 269,000.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Principal Applied Scientist, Amazon Payments at Amazon rates 90 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● 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

Principal Applied Scientist, Amazon Payments is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $199k-$269k a year.
The role is based in US, WA, Seattle.
The job was posted on May 7, 2026.
Seniority: executive.
Applications are handled by Amazon. Apply on Amazon

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

NLPMachine learningGenerative AINatural Language ProcessingResearchLeadershipPython

Also common in applied scientist jobs at this level

Python C++Java Deep learning LLM Reinforcement learning

Pay

This job starts at: $199k
Typical applied scientist job: $172k

This posting starts 16% above the typical applied scientist job. See applied scientist jobs

Questions you could be asked

What NLP problem have you worked on, and how did you measure whether it actually worked?
Tell me about a project where machine learning was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where generative ai was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where natural language processing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where research was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: NLP, Machine learning, Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, and Research. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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