The role
From Amazon's own posting.
Ever wonder what happens when S3 processes a PUT request, when EC2 launches a new instance, when DynamoDB commits a write with single-digit millisecond latency, or when Kinesis Data Streams ingests a new record? Behind the scenes, a distributed log service is making it all possible — and you'd be building it.
The AlfBus Journal organization builds foundational distributed systems that power the largest AWS services. We specialize in high-performance, strongly consistent data systems that operate at scale. Our systems process over 4 million writes per second today and are growing fast. When we ship, the blast radius is AWS itself.
We have a multi-year roadmap packed with hard, unsolved problems: building next-generation data export services, driving large-scale migrations that will reshape Amazon's storage infrastructure, and pushing the boundaries of durability, availability, and performance in distributed log systems. This isn't incremental work — it's foundational.
As an SDE-II, you'll own systems end-to-end: from requirements and design through implementation, deployment, and production support. You'll work alongside multiple Senior and Principal Engineers on a tight-knit team of 11 that values pairing, co-ownership, and direct collaboration. You'll also mentor junior engineers and help raise the team's technical bar through design reviews and engineering best practices.
If you want to go deep on distributed systems and database internals — not just use them, but build the ones that AWS depends on — this is the role.
Key job responsibilities
- Design and build highly available, low-latency distributed log and database systems that process millions of writes per second for AWS's most critical services.
- Own end-to-end delivery of software projects — from requirements through design, implementation, deployment, and production support.
- Drive improvements to security, reliability, durability, and performance across multiple foundational services.
- Lead and contribute to multi-year, cross-team migration and integration efforts with high-profile partner teams.
- Mentor junior engineers through code reviews, design discussions, and pairing sessions.
- Establish and evolve engineering best practices and operational processes for the team.
A day in the life
AlfBus Journal engineers are constantly challenged to think of unique and innovative solutions. The quality bar is high.
As an engineer here, you will work on the engineering problems in distributed systems at a massive scale and on multiple dimensions. You will exercise your intellectual curiosity, work with motivated teams of sharp individuals, and get guidance from senior and principal engineers.
This is a hands-on position in which you will own everything from end to end: requirements gathering, designs, design reviews, implementations, code reviews, incremental feature launches, operations, mentoring, and the driving of continuous improvement.
- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience programming with at least one software programming language
- 3+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
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, WA, Seattle - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually