Director, Software Engineering - DC Security Systems, AWS Infra. Security

The Director, Software Engineering - DC Security Systems leads the global implementation of security controls within AWS data centers. From creation through data center retirement, this role is accountable for delivering innovative security controls that meet the business needs for scale and speed. This role coordinates across design, construction, networking, and partner software teams to deliver physical and logical controls through software and process innovation, and is accountable for both building innovative solutions and operating them at fleet scale.

Infrastructure Security is looking for an experienced Director of Software Development to transform how we create and maintain data center security controls across Amazon. You will operate Tier-1 services foundational to AWS data center operations and define the approach for deploying security at the speed of modular builds while continuously raising the security bar across all of AWS.

This opportunity is multi-disciplinary, requiring depth of knowledge and experience in security solutions, software development, building design, product management, AWS services, and cost control. It requires a leader who can deliver security solutions within the context of business outcomes and drive iterative improvement in an environment where both the threat landscape and the pace of construction are changing rapidly.

You will draw from deep and broad technical expertise to guide software engineers, principal engineers, and development managers on system design, incremental delivery, and operational excellence. You will apply AI and machine learning to transform how your systems operate: from computer vision that performs real-time authorization decisions, to automated triage and anomaly detection, to intelligent provisioning that eliminates manual effort. This role has substantial visibility with senior executives and is built for a leader who thrives on pace, ambiguity, and building high-performing teams from the ground up.

Key job responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end design, delivery, and operation of data center security systems globally, including access control, video surveillance, perimeter detection, and the software platforms that manage them
• Transform cameras into active assurance mechanisms through computer vision that performs real-time physical authorization linked to work order systems, reducing reliance on manual observation for access verification
• Deliver security infrastructure that ships at modular build speed: persistent hardware from construction through operations, standardized security kits, and zero-touch provisioning that eliminates per-site engineering effort
• Build and operate a Tier-1 service owning the complete lifecycle of every networked security IoT device globally: onboarding, firmware management, credential rotation, health monitoring, and performance telemetry
• Drive security economics that deliver equivalent or better outcomes at lower cost per site as the fleet scales
• Define and deliver AI-driven capabilities including computer vision for real-time authorization, automated triage and anomaly detection, generative AI for development acceleration, and intelligent provisioning that eliminates manual effort
• Lead and scale a high-performing engineering organization spanning software development, systems engineering, hardware engineering, and program management

A day in the life

This role spends most days working hand in hand with data center operations and data center engineering teams. You will advocate for logical security controls across AWS service teams to meet the demands of a modular data center build plan, ensuring that every layer of the defense-in-depth continuum is instrumented, measured, and delivering against the security bar at the speed the business requires.

About the team

The Infrastructure Security Team is accountable for ensuring that the foundation of AWS operates and scales securely. This team is responsible for the security of the hardware supply chain, AWS data centers, and the AWS network. We build operational security solutions that are critical to the operations of AWS infrastructure, including identity management, security telemetry and threat analysis, hardware component validation, and ensuring third-party suppliers meet the AWS security bar.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (or related field) or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years developing mission-critical system software, with 5+ years driving long-term engineering and product decisions at senior leadership level
• Track record of delivering innovative cloud-based applications and services at scale
• Proven ability to hire, develop, and retain an inclusive, high-performing organization of 100+ engineers
• Experience scaling diverse, highly dynamic, and fast-growing technical and product teams across multiple geographies

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years managing and building software with very high availability and operational excellence requirements
• Deep understanding of information security, privacy frameworks, and compliance requirements
• Ability to effectively coordinate between technical teams and business stakeholders
• 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 organization

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, MN, Minneapolis - 264,100.00 - 350,000.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 264,100.00 - 350,000.00 USD annually