March 13, 2025

Sr. Applied Scientist, Traffic Engineering

Senior • On-site

$150,400 - $260,000/yr

Sunnyvale, CA

DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an innovative Senior Applied Scientist to join Amazon's Traffic Engineering organization in developing next-generation bot detection and mitigation capabilities. You will lead the scientific development of real-time anomaly detection systems to identify and counter sophisticated automated threats, including LLM-powered agents, protecting Amazon's websites and subsidiaries worldwide.

This is a critical challenge at the intersection of ML and cybersecurity. With GenAI/LLM-powered bots now capable of mimicking human behavior, evading traditional detections, and monetizing attacks, we must revolutionize our approach from reactive to real-time protection. You'll pioneer ML systems that can detect threats in milliseconds instead of days, protecting Amazon assets and compute while ensuring legitimate bot traffic continues to benefit our business. This role offers the unique opportunity to build first-of-its-kind real-time behavior-based ML models that will safeguard Amazon's global infrastructure. Your work will directly impact millions of customers by ensuring the integrity and availability of Amazon's digital presence while advancing the state-of-the-art in automated threat detection and response.

Key job responsibilities
- Design and develop advanced ML models for real-time detection of programmatic access patterns and anomalous behaviors
- Pioneer new approaches in identifying LLM-based agents and emerging automated threats
- Drive innovation in applying ML/AI techniques to traffic analysis, classification, pattern recognition and automated response systems
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement layered defense strategies
- Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the team's technical direction

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- 3+ years of building machine learning models for business application experience
- PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience with neural deep learning methods and machine learning

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with modeling tools such as R, scikit-learn, Spark MLLib, MxNet, Tensorflow, numpy, scipy etc.
- Experience with large scale distributed systems such as Hadoop, Spark etc.

Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $150,400/year in our lowest geographic market up to $260,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc. founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in the cozy confines of his Seattle garage, Amazon.com, Inc. quickly evolved from a humble online bookstore to a colossal e-commerce powerhouse. Today, it offers an extensive range of products from DVDs and electronics to furniture and groceries. With a global footprint that spans continents—from Canada and the UK to Japan and Brazil—Amazon's presence is truly international. The company has not only diversified into various domains, including acquiring Twitch in 2014 and venturing into the film industry in 2015, but also introduced initiatives like the brand registry program to safeguard intellectual property. Despite the hurdles of labor relations and competitive practices, Amazon remains a dominant force in the global e-commerce landscape.