Senior Applied Scientist, Autonomous Security

Senior • On-site

$150,400 - $260,000/yr

Santa Clara, CA

DESCRIPTION

We are open to hiring candidates to work out of one of the following locations:

Santa Clara, CA, USA

The Autonomous Security team is looking for a skilled and driven Senior Applied Scientist (AS III) to develop autonomous security solutions that protect Amazon’s customers. You will frame open-ended security problems as hypotheses, design and evaluate novel approaches, and drive research outcomes into scalable systems. You will define the scientific direction for core areas of our autonomous research strategy, working independently in ambiguous problem spaces and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance the application of AI in security.

Key job responsibilities
As a Senior Applied Scientist, you will use your technical expertise to influence the design and direction of AI systems that automate security decisions at scale. You will lead the scientific approach for key problem areas, develop and validate novel algorithms, and collaborate with engineering teams to transition research into production. Your work will focus on real-world security challenges across domains where automation can improve decision quality and speed. You will work with large-scale data and compute to advance both our autonomous capabilities and the underlying science. Your contributions will increase the speed, precision, and autonomy of Amazon’s autonomous security response.

A day in the life
Your day starts with a deep dive into the future of autonomous security at Amazon. You’re not just running experiments - you’re formulating hypotheses, designing algorithms, and advancing the science behind AI-driven security. You’ll learn from Amazon’s security experts and apply best practices as you build models that enable proactive, autonomous detection and response at scale. Working alongside scientists, security engineers, and software engineers, your research will support systems that protect millions of customers across one of the world’s largest and most complex environments. It’s a fast-paced setting where your scientific work shapes how Amazon defends its digital infrastructure.

The Autonomous Security team builds AI-driven security solutions that protect millions of Amazon customers while ensuring strong data governance. We thrive on innovation, collaboration, and solving complex security challenges at scale. We are stronger together - diverse perspectives and inclusive practices drive better decisions and more effective solutions. With a focus on automation and intelligence, we push boundaries to keep Amazon’s customers and their data secure.

About the team
Diverse Experiences
Amazon Security values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the 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.
Why Amazon Security?
At Amazon, security is central to maintaining customer trust and delivering delightful customer experiences. Our organization is responsible for creating and maintaining a high bar for security across all of Amazon’s products and services. We offer talented security professionals the chance to accelerate their careers with opportunities to build experience in a wide variety of areas including cloud, devices, retail, entertainment, healthcare, operations, and physical stores
Inclusive Team Culture
In Amazon Security, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Ongoing DEI events and learning experiences inspire us to continue learning and to embrace our uniqueness. Addressing the toughest security challenges requires that we seek out and celebrate a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and voices.
Training & 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, training, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
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 flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

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
- Hands on experience with AI

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Scientific thinking and the ability to invent, a track record of thought leadership and contributions that have advanced the field
- Good written and spoken communication skills

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 $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.