Amazon Foundational Security Services (AFSS) delivers internal cross-Amazon security solutions for identity and access management, authorization, and authentication. We support the full stack of internal security from host bootstrapping, service authentication, human multi-factor authentication, to resource authorization. Our services support businesses across the Amazon portfolio including AWS, Amazon.com, Kuiper, Twitch, Prime Video, MGM Studios, Whole Foods Market, and more! Some of our services are visible and used by Amazonians every day (e.g. human multi-factor authentication), but most of our services are operating behind the scenes. Security is our top priority, but we also obsess about enabling business agility, service availability, scale, and cost-to-serve.
AFSS is looking for an experienced Director of Software Development to help us transform the way we create and maintain authentication and authorization services across Amazon. You will be responsible for operating Tier-1 services that are foundational to Amazon operations across multiple business segments and establishing a new vision and approach for enabling business agility while improving the security bar. Our vision is to deliver fit-for-purpose, frictionless (delightful) multi-factor authentication (MFA) and authorization services across Amazon internal use cases. We strive to balance robust security and seamless user experience, raising the security bar while minimizing user interaction complexity.
If you love big challenges, thinking out of the box, and engaging with internal stakeholders at all levels of the org, you will be a good fit. You will need to understand security outcomes, have a passion for excellent customer experiences, and bring energy to move the teams forward quickly. You will draw from your deep and broad technical expertise to guide software engineers, principal engineers, and development managers on system design, incremental delivery, and operational excellence. You will be responsible for defining and delivering on industry-leading technology initiatives that enable customers to solve complex security problems.
You and your team will be responsible for inventing and simplifying experiences for internal customers. This role is inherently cross-functional and requires the ability to think big and collaborate with others as you work closely with teams across engineering, operations, finance, and security. We are looking for a critical thinker who thrives on solving challenges in partnership with teams across Amazon.
Key job responsibilities
Professional traits that are not unique to this position, but necessary for Amazon leaders at this level:
• High judgment decision-maker who actively seeks input from others to make high- velocity decisions
• Curious. Likes to dig into hard, complex problems and technologies
• Servant leader. Likes to challenge their customers and teams to solve a problem, knowing when to step in and provide structure and urgency to move the business forward quickly
• Expects effort and rewards results
• Structured, analytical problem solver. Follows the data
• Thinks strategically and long term, but willingly and naturally dives deep and stays on top of tactical execution
• Holds self and teams to a high standard.
• Healthy intolerance for the status quo. Likes to shake things up and contemplate the impossible.
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional customer relationship skills
•Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Statistics or related discipline, or 12+ years’ equivalent technology experience.
•8+ years of industry experience with a proven track record of delivery leading software development teams.
•5+ years managing and building software with very high availability and operational excellence requirements.
•Understanding of information security, privacy frameworks, and compliance requirements. Ability to effectively coordinate between technical teams and business stakeholder.
•Strong ability to build alignment to your teams’ vision across diverse business leaders.
•Ability to drive enterprise-scale changes to existing systems.
•Effective written and oral communication with multiple levels of leadership involving both business and technical sides of the business.
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.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $264,100/year in our lowest geographic market up to $350,000/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.
