Sr. Applied Scientist, Amazon AI at Work
Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.
Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- IT
- Full-time
- applied scientist
- machine learning
- AI innovation
The Senior Applied Scientist at Amazon AI leads innovation in AI systems that transform enterprise operations, focusing on research, design, and deployment of scalable AI solutions. This role requires deep expertise in machine learning, human-AI collaboration, and distributed systems to solve complex scientific challenges without established solutions. The position involves mentoring, cross-team collaboration, and driving the long-term technical vision within a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
We're at a defining moment in enterprise AI. While most companies are building thin wrappers around foundation models, we're tackling the fundamental challenges that will shape how organizations work with AI over the next decade. We're seeking a Senior Applied Scientist who will lead the technical vision and innovation that will define the future of work at Amazon. You'll be at the forefront of Amazon's AI innovation, working directly with technologies that will power the next generation of business operations, with visibility at the highest levels of AWS and Amazon's leadership team.
What we're building doesn't exist yet anywhere-we're creating AI systems that fundamentally transform how enterprises operate. The scientific challenges we face represent genuine gaps in how organizations integrate AI into their operations, and we're approaching them with the resources and scale to build real solutions, not just prototypes. This role has real ambiguity-the productive kind where customer problems are clear but scientific solutions need to be invented. You'll have high autonomy to drive the scientific strategy and technical implementation in an early team.
The scale of impact is enormous-you'll be developing scientific innovations that will fundamentally change how Amazon operates and become the foundation for how enterprises worldwide integrate AI into complex knowledge work. But what makes this unique is the timing and technical depth. You'll be solving problems that don't have established solutions, inventing new scientific approaches alongside delivering production-grade systems. If you want to tackle intrinsically hard scientific challenges that don't have obvious solutions, if you want to advance the state of the art in AI, if you want your work to matter at scale-let's talk.
Key job responsibilities
• Design and architect complex AI agent systems for business and product management workflows at scale
• Define and lead research initiatives in human-AI collaboration frameworks across multiple teams
• Drive end-to-end delivery of novel AI solutions from inception to production, ensuring system-level technical requirements are met
• Lead technical discovery and innovation through rapid experimentation while maintaining high standards
• Mentor junior scientists and influence adoption of scientific best practices across teams
• Author technical documentation and research papers that advance the field of AI agents
We're looking for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. You should be passionate about creating AI solutions that enhance human capabilities while maintaining high standards for responsible AI development. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in machine learning and distributed systems, with a proven track record of delivering innovative AI solutions into production.
A day in the life
You take ownership of the long-term scientific vision, product roadmaps, and technologies, defining how they should evolve. You build consensus through thoughtful discussions with stakeholders, engineers, and scientist peers across multiple teams. You bring deep expertise to provide context for current and future technology choices and make strategic recommendations on modeling approaches and system architecture to achieve transformative business outcomes and user experiences.
About the team
Amazon AI at Work (AIW) is a strategic AWS Applied AI Solutions team pioneering the next generation of AI products, with direct visibility and engagement from senior leadership. Our team brings together top-tier product managers, engineers, and scientists who thrive on turning ambitious AI concepts into services. We operate at the forefront of innovation, embracing the challenges of undefined territory as we build entirely new solutions - starting with internal products that have the potential to evolve into external customer offerings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience in building machine learning models for business application
- Strong background in human-AI interaction systems
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 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 . This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
What we're building doesn't exist yet anywhere-we're creating AI systems that fundamentally transform how enterprises operate. The scientific challenges we face represent genuine gaps in how organizations integrate AI into their operations, and we're approaching them with the resources and scale to build real solutions, not just prototypes. This role has real ambiguity-the productive kind where customer problems are clear but scientific solutions need to be invented. You'll have high autonomy to drive the scientific strategy and technical implementation in an early team.
The scale of impact is enormous-you'll be developing scientific innovations that will fundamentally change how Amazon operates and become the foundation for how enterprises worldwide integrate AI into complex knowledge work. But what makes this unique is the timing and technical depth. You'll be solving problems that don't have established solutions, inventing new scientific approaches alongside delivering production-grade systems. If you want to tackle intrinsically hard scientific challenges that don't have obvious solutions, if you want to advance the state of the art in AI, if you want your work to matter at scale-let's talk.
Key job responsibilities
• Design and architect complex AI agent systems for business and product management workflows at scale
• Define and lead research initiatives in human-AI collaboration frameworks across multiple teams
• Drive end-to-end delivery of novel AI solutions from inception to production, ensuring system-level technical requirements are met
• Lead technical discovery and innovation through rapid experimentation while maintaining high standards
• Mentor junior scientists and influence adoption of scientific best practices across teams
• Author technical documentation and research papers that advance the field of AI agents
We're looking for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. You should be passionate about creating AI solutions that enhance human capabilities while maintaining high standards for responsible AI development. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in machine learning and distributed systems, with a proven track record of delivering innovative AI solutions into production.
A day in the life
You take ownership of the long-term scientific vision, product roadmaps, and technologies, defining how they should evolve. You build consensus through thoughtful discussions with stakeholders, engineers, and scientist peers across multiple teams. You bring deep expertise to provide context for current and future technology choices and make strategic recommendations on modeling approaches and system architecture to achieve transformative business outcomes and user experiences.
About the team
Amazon AI at Work (AIW) is a strategic AWS Applied AI Solutions team pioneering the next generation of AI products, with direct visibility and engagement from senior leadership. Our team brings together top-tier product managers, engineers, and scientists who thrive on turning ambitious AI concepts into services. We operate at the forefront of innovation, embracing the challenges of undefined territory as we build entirely new solutions - starting with internal products that have the potential to evolve into external customer offerings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience in building machine learning models for business application
- Strong background in human-AI interaction systems
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 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 . This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.
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