June 3, 2025

Software Development Engineer III, EC2 Nitro

Senior • On-site

$151,300 - $261,500/yr

Sunnyvale, CA , +1

DESCRIPTION

AWS Utility Computing (UC) provides product innovations — from foundational services such as Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), to consistently released new product innovations that continue to set AWS’s services and features apart in the industry. As a member of the UC organization, you’ll support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (Iot), Platform, and Productivity Apps services in AWS, including support for customers who require specialized security solutions for customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.

EC2 Nitro drives the planet’s largest, fastest growing and most feature-rich compute cloud. Nitro is AWS’ ground-up design for virtualization at global scale built on a fully custom stack of hardware, firmware and applications. Nitro has enabled EC2 to support Intel, AMD and Amazon’s custom silicon - the Graviton processor family - while raising the industry bar for security and performance across our product line.

We integrate hardware, firmware, application software and services to deliver new virtualized and bare-metal compute platforms for companies from startups through the Fortune 500. We are looking for an experienced kernel software engineer to drive development for new EC2 compute platforms. In this role, the engineer will work with a broad and deep group of technical teams that develop hardware, firmware, systems and application software.

The ideal candidate is expected to have solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, systems programming, Linux kernel development, and expertise in C and Git. Experience with Linux package management, version control systems, automated build processes, and software unit testing are required. Preferred candidate will have demonstrated kernel development and debugging experience, i.e., documented contribution history in Linux kernel repository or similar.

A day in the life
As a Nitro Operating Systems engineer, your day centers around developing and optimizing the specialized OS that powers AWS's Nitro system. You might start by reviewing telemetry data from overnight kernel performance tests, then dive into coding a new virtualization feature for an upcoming EC2 instance type. After lunch, you'll debug a thorny memory allocation issue that's causing sporadic system hangs. Later, you'll collaborate with hardware engineers to optimize driver code for new Nitro hardware. You'll wrap up by documenting your kernel modifications and preparing for tomorrow's design review with fellow OS engineers. Throughout the day, you'll balance planned feature development with quick investigations of any critical system issues that arise.

About the team
The Nitro Operating System team develops and maintains a custom Linux distribution within the larger Nitro Operating System space. Our collaborative team environment emphasizes close partnerships both within the group and across EC2 teams to deliver high-impact solutions. We encourage contributions to upstream Linux kernel and active engagement with the Linux kernel community.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- 5+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 5+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
- 5+ years of leading design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team
- 5+ years software engineering experience in the following: device driver development, embedded systems, or operating systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 5+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, 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 $151,300/year in our lowest geographic market up to $261,500/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.