Software Development Engineer, Special Projects

Amazon is hiring a Software Development Engineer, Special Projects in Seattle, United States. It pays $144k-$194k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

On Level's scale, this software engineer role is Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Python, SQL and software development.
Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
Level lists 20,000+ other open roles at Amazon.

AI in this role

Design and build scalable ML inference pipelines and infrastructure for life sciences applications.

PythonSQL

software-developmentmachine-learningml-inferencedatabase-architecturepipeline-optimization

Are you excited about building software that helps scientists unlock new insights from data? As a Software Development Engineer on our team, you will design and deliver systems at the intersection of machine learning and the life sciences. We are scaling our model and method execution infrastructure to generate, analyze, and deliver growing quantities of data to customers — and we need a collaborative, curious engineer to help us get there. You will work alongside scientists, engineers, and product managers in a startup-like environment where your contributions directly shape products that reach customers and accelerate scientific discovery.

Key job responsibilities
- Design and build scalable ML inference pipelines in collaboration with scientists and engineers, ensuring reliable model execution as data volumes grow.
- Architect and improve database systems that store metadata about workflows and their outputs, balancing performance, maintainability, and extensibility.
- Drive improvements to system performance and reliability so customers receive results quickly and accurately.
- Participate in and contribute to every phase of the software development lifecycle — from requirements gathering and design through implementation, testing, deployment, and operations.
- Conduct thorough code reviews, mentor teammates, and document your software so the broader team can maintain and extend it confidently.

A day in the life
You might start the morning in standup, sharing progress on the inference pipeline you are optimizing. After that, you join a design review where you and your teammates debate the right data model for a new workflow. In the afternoon, you pair with a scientist to prototype a feature, then wrap up by reviewing a teammate's pull request and leaving constructive feedback. Throughout, you balance hands-on coding with cross-team coordination to keep projects moving forward.

About the team
Our team sits at the intersection of machine learning and the life sciences, building products that turn complex scientific models into actionable results for customers. We are investing in scaling our execution infrastructure to handle rapidly growing data, and this is a pivotal moment to join and shape that trajectory.

We are dedicated to supporting every team member's growth. Senior engineers provide one-on-one mentoring and thoughtful code reviews, and we assign projects with an eye toward helping each person develop into a more well-rounded engineer. We value flexibility, knowledge sharing, and an inclusive environment where every voice is heard.

Basic qualifications

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- 5+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- 5+ years of programming experience with at least one modern language such as C++, Java, Scala or Python
- 2+ years of experience in AWS technologies, such as Batch, S3, Lambda, CloudFormation, and SQS

Preferred qualifications

- * MS in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Genomics or a related field
- * Knowledge of professional software engineering practices and best practices for the full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations
- * 2+ years of experience with scientific software such as bioinformatics tools, high performance computing or data visualization libraries (Plotly, Altair, D3)
- Experience in Databases like NoSQL, or experience in PostgreSQL or orther relational relational databases and experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities

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 - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Software Development Engineer, Special Projects at Amazon rates 85 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

Software Development Engineer, Special Projects is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $144k-$194k a year.
The role is based in US, WA, Seattle.
The job was posted on September 16, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
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

Software DevelopmentMachine learningML InferenceDatabase ArchitecturePipeline OptimizationPythonSQL

Also common in software engineer jobs at this level

LLM AI agents Kubernetes Generative AI TypeScript RAG

Pay

This job starts at: $144k
Typical software engineer job: $167k

This posting starts 14% below the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where software development was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where machine learning was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where ml inference was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where database architecture was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where pipeline optimization was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Software Development, Machine learning, ML Inference, Database Architecture, and Pipeline Optimization. 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.

Get your CV reviewed before you apply

Send your CV and the role you want next. Your review arrives by email within 3 days.

Get a free CV review Check your resume with the ATS resume checker