Systems Development Engineer, ADC Networking

Amazon is hiring a Systems Development Engineer, ADC Networking. It pays $129k-$175k 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.
The posting mentions Linux, AWS and Route 53 among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a mid-level role.
Amazon has 21,000+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Build and operate large-scale cloud networking infrastructure and distributed systems for U.S. government agencies at AWS.

linuxawsroute-53

networkingdistributed-systemsautomationinfrastructure-as-code

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis

Would you like to implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve the world's most complex technical problems? Do you have a deep passion and desire to engineer and operate the world's largest cloud computing infrastructure to build a better world for future generations?

This is an exciting opportunity to use the latest cloud computing technologies to help U.S. Government agencies implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve technical problems.

AWS established a specialized group of service teams responsible for the work we are doing with the U.S. Intelligence Community. We are building some of the largest and most complex distributed systems in the world, and we need adaptable people to help us implement and operate them.

The AWS RAPP (Route 53 and Perimeter Protection) ADC team is seeking highly motivated engineers who are focused on operational excellence, troubleshooting complex system operations, have a good understanding of Linux, networking, and general knowledge of cloud services. We're also looking for engineers who can use their software knowledge to automate the way we manage and scale our services. We need engineers who understand how to think big, and simplify solutions to complex problems; all the while ensuring that our customers continue to have the best experience possible.

You will be able to take a defined project, break down the work to help define milestones and feedback mechanisms. You identify when implementations are not highly available or have defects; you investigate systemic patterns. You resolve, mitigate, or escalate operational concerns in a timely manner.

This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance. The position further requires that, after start, the selected candidate obtain and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph or commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.

Key job responsibilities
Ensure Route 53 and Perimeter Protection services are able to offer customers a 100% uptime SLA. We do this through deploying software, troubleshooting software failures, and minimizing the need for human involvements through automation such as infrastructure as code and operator tools.

A day in the life
It’s always Day 1 at Amazon. On a typical day, a RAPP System Development Engineer manages and monitors systems in air-gapped regions, and builds software based solutions to improve how we manage and monitor our systems.

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.

AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
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.

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 conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

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.

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-rounded professional.

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.

Basic qualifications

- Bachelor's degree, or CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional)
- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as C++, C#, Java, Python, Golang, PowerShell, Ruby
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of Top Secret with SCI eligibility or above

Preferred qualifications

- Experience with PowerShell (preferred), Python, Ruby, or Java
- Experience working in an Agile environment using the Scrum methodology

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, CO, Denver - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Systems Development Engineer, ADC Networking at Amazon rates 10 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

Systems Development Engineer, ADC Networking is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $129k-$175k a year.
The role is based in US, VA, Herndon.
The job was posted on October 8, 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

NetworkingDistributed SystemsAutomationInfrastructure As CodeLinuxAWSRoute 53

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where networking was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where distributed systems was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where infrastructure as code was part of your work. What did you do?
Walk me through how you've used Linux in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Networking, Distributed Systems, Automation, Infrastructure As Code, and Linux. 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.

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