Sr. Security Engineer, AWS Center for Quantum Computing

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a Security Engineer who will design and oversee the security operations of a growing research and development (R&D) effort. This role requires some on site activity, roughly 1 to 2 times per week.

As a security expert, you will own the completion of a threat model and security plan for our research spaces and will lead an array of projects and security initiatives / activities designed to protect your fellow Amazonians, R&D facilities, and critical cloud infrastructure from all categories of threats. You will define, document, and educate policies / workflows for our labs, which span across academic, corporate, and industrial spaces. You obsess over internal and external customers and successfully deliver support and services in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly. You are also independent and can manage program security projects under minimal supervision, continuously triage and prioritize accordingly, communicate clearly, think outside the box, and deliver exceptional results. By delivering a highly secure yet flexible R&D environment, successful candidates will enable a team of scientists and engineers to secure quantum technologies for our global AWS customer base.

Additional responsibilities include :

Work with internal stakeholders, academic and corporate partners to meet or exceed Amazon security bar

Understand software lifecycle on scientific equipment and mitigate physical and logical risks

Perform periodic reviews of software baselines and network activity

Manage security reviews of internally used, external-facing, or third-party applications

Create and maintain detailed inventories of sensitive hardware and software

With the help of other security engineers at AWS, audit equipment and software before commissioning in a development or production environment

About the team

Export Control Requirement :

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be able to obtain a U.S export license. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please apply and Amazon will review your application for eligibility.

Why AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

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. Within AWS UC, Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) roles engage with AWS customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Diverse Experiences

AWS 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.

Mentorship & 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, mentorship 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 we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.

Export Control Requirement :

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be able to obtain a US export license. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please apply and Amazon will review your application for eligibility.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• 4+ years of non-internship background in troubleshooting systems issues, analyzing logs, or automating complex tasks using command line tools experience
• 5+ years of work in identifying security issues and risks, and developing mitigation plans experience
• 4+ years of (non-internship) scripting, programming, and security code review in common programming languages experience
• Experience (non-internship) in scripting, programming, and security code reviewing in a common programming language
• Experience (non-internship) in troubleshooting systems issues, analyzing logs, or automating complex tasks using command line tools
• Experience working in identifying security issues and risks, and developing mitigation plans
• Experience (non-internship) in industry-based security vulnerabilities identification, attack patterns, and remediation techniques
• Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team
• 5+ years relevant security engineering work experience, or a Bachelor's degree in one of the following degree programs : Cybersecurity, Computer Science / Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Informatics, or related academic degrees
• 5+ years of professional work experience as a security expert in one or more of these areas : security engineering, scientific research, engineering research and development
• Hands-on experience with security lifecycle activities including threat modeling, risk analysis, design review, and testing
• Strong understanding of adversary TTPs and experience with threat detection, response, and recovery

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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 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 $143,300 / year in our lowest geographic market up to $247,600 / 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 This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.