Systems Development Engineer, Frontier Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC)

Amazon is hiring a Systems Development Engineer, Frontier Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) in Arlington, United States. It pays $129k-$175k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this role: the job is building AI systems.
The posting mentions Bedrock, Linux and Amazon Bedrock among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a mid-level role.
Amazon has 20,000+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Systems development engineer building and scaling GenAI and agentic AI services for government cloud environments.

BedrockLinuxAmazon BedrockAmazon QuickKiro

distributed-systemsnetworkingtroubleshootinggenai

The Frontier ADC team is at the forefront of delivering the AWS GenAI and Agentic AI service portfolio to our customers in GovCloud and isolated environments. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this rapidly evolving field, leveraging the power of cloud computing and the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. With a focus on expanding Frontier AI services across GovCloud and isolated regions, driving automation investments, and delivering innovative solutions, we are at the forefront of modernization. Our teams are innovating new ways of building massively scalable distributed systems and delivering the next generation of cloud computing across the GenAI and Agentic AI service portfolio. We support the GenAI and Agentic AI service portfolio including services like Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Quick, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, and Kiro.

We are seeking a Systems Development Engineer II who can think big and simplify solutions to complex problems, all while ensuring our customers continue to have the best experience possible!

A successful Systems Development Engineer II joining the team will be an innovator, building solutions and working closely with Amazon's largest and most demanding government customers to address their specific needs across a suite of Frontier AI services in GovCloud and isolated environments. They will drive the resolution of technical issues and work diligently to improve the customer experience.

This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph. The position further requires the candidate to opt into a commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.

Key job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will:

• Be great fun to work with. Our company credo is "Work hard. Have fun. Make history". The right candidate will love what they do and instinctively know how to make work fun.

• Have strong Linux & Networking Fundamentals. The ideal candidate will have deep experience working with Linux, preferably in a large scale, distributed environment. You understand networking technology and how servers and networks inter-relate. You regularly take part in deep-dive troubleshooting and conduct technical post-mortem discussions to identify the root cause of complex issues.

• Have strong software and systems skills. The ideal candidate will have deep experience working with systems in a large scale, distributed environment. You understand networking technology and how servers and networks inter-relate. You are comfortable facilitating deep-dive troubleshooting and leading technical post-mortem discussions to identify the root cause of complex issues.

• Love to solve problems. The ideal candidate will love leading teams to solve difficult technical problems related to AWS service builds and operations in GovCloud and isolated environments. You have a solid understanding of systems design, operations, automation, and process improvement.

• Think Big. The ideal candidate will work on projects building and deploying solutions across GovCloud and isolated regions. You will strive to build a culture to improve and streamline processes to allow for work on a massive scale.

A day in the life
As a Systems Development Engineer II in Frontier ADC, you will build innovative solutions, expand services into GovCloud and isolated regions, and improve our operations to provide resiliency and the best experience for our customers. You influence technical strategy and architectural decisions within the team and with partner teams and make data-driven decisions. Successful candidates will be expected to show leadership on strong Bias for Action, Invent and Simplify, Insist on the Highest Standards, and Deliver Results.

You will develop, build, and operate AWS Frontier AI services that enable customers to leverage generative AI and agentic capabilities in secure environments. Our engineering teams support services running in GovCloud and isolated regions, creating unique engineering challenges and opportunities for innovation. The Frontier ADC team is responsible for diving deep to resolve operational challenges, innovating to automate operational tasks, building solutions for our customers, supporting execution of various security campaigns (blocked software, host patching), and parity programs.

As a Systems Development Engineer II you will:

• Work cross-functionally to foster a constructive dialogue, harmonize discordant views, and lead the resolution of contentious issues.

• Love to code. Whether it's building tools in Java or solving complex system problems in Python, the ideal candidate will love using technology to solve problems.

• Think Big. The ideal candidate will build and deploy solutions across thousands of devices. You will strive to improve and streamline processes to allow for work on a massive scale.

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)
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of TS/SCI with Polygraph

Preferred qualifications

- Experience with distributed systems at scale

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, VA, Arlington - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Systems Development Engineer, Frontier Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) 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

Systems Development Engineer, Frontier Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $129k-$175k a year.
The role is based in US, VA, Arlington.
The job was posted on September 17, 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

Distributed SystemsNetworkingTroubleshootingGenAIBedrockLinuxAmazon BedrockAmazon Quick

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where distributed systems was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where networking was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where troubleshooting was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where genai was part of your work. What did you do?
Walk me through how you've used Bedrock in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Distributed Systems, Networking, Troubleshooting, GenAI, and Bedrock. 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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