In the world of cloud security, architecture decisions ripple through systems like waves through water. From my experience leading security initiatives, I've learned that every design choice, every framework we build, shapes how millions of families share and preserve their memories. At Amazon Photos, these aren't just technical decisions - they're commitments to our customers' trust.

We're seeking a Senior Security Engineer who sees beyond the code to the bigger landscape: the intersecting systems, the emerging patterns, the human impact of every security decision. Because when you're designing security architecture that protects billions of precious moments, technical expertise is just the beginning.

This role demands strategic vision across multiple domains:

Enterprise-scale security frameworks that empower development across iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Echo platforms
Cross-organizational security initiatives that shape how Photos evolves
Innovative automation approaches that scale protection for billions of daily interactions
Security standards that balance robust protection with seamless user experience

You'll collaborate with senior leadership to shape the future of Photos security, building relationships across Amazon's security community. This isn't about following established playbooks - it's about writing new ones. You'll define security strategies that influence how teams across Photos approach development, establish patterns that make security intuitive, and create frameworks that scale protection across our entire ecosystem.

The complexity is real and evolving. Each day brings new challenges: emerging threats, advancing technologies, expanding features. Your architectural decisions will shape how Photos protects everything from AI-powered photo recognition to cross-device sharing features. You'll be building more than security systems - you'll be creating the foundations that help teams build securely.

This role offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact at the intersection of security architecture and human connection. You'll be designing protections that preserve trust, developing strategies that enable innovation, and building frameworks that help people safely share their most precious memories.

If you're energized by solving complex security challenges while making a meaningful difference in people's lives, we'd love to explore how your expertise could help shape the future of Photos security.

Key job responsibilities
Strategic Security Leadership

Define and drive the overall security strategy and roadmap for Amazon Photos
Architect complex security solutions spanning multiple platforms and services
Lead security initiatives that impact multiple teams across Photos organization
Establish security standards, patterns, and best practices for the organization

Technical Security Excellence

Design enterprise-scale security frameworks and platforms that enable secure development across all Photos services
Lead architectural reviews and provide direction for high-complexity, high-risk features
Drive innovation in security automation and tooling across mobile, TV, and voice platforms
Establish security metrics and KPIs to measure and improve security posture

Cross-Organization Impact

Build and own relationships with partner teams including DigiSec, AWS Security, and other Amazon security organizations
Represent Photos in cross-org security initiatives and standards development
Drive security improvements that influence Amazon-wide mobile and client application security practices
Lead security incident response for critical events affecting Photos services

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

Provide technical leadership and mentoring to teams on security best practices
Establish security review processes and governance models
Drive security culture through training programs and best practice documentation
Influence product roadmaps to incorporate security requirements early in development

Risk Management & Strategy

Develop long-term security strategy aligned with business objectives
Own strategic security initiatives and multi-year security roadmap
Lead security architecture decisions that balance risk, user experience, and business needs
Provide executive-level visibility into security posture and risks

A day in the life
Morning:

Lead the weekly security architecture review meeting with senior technical leaders across Photos

- Provide guidance on multiple ongoing design reviews - from mobile apps to ML systems

Meet with DigiSec leadership to align on upcoming security initiatives and ensure Photos' needs are represented
Work with your security automation team to review the architecture for a new security monitoring platform
Drive a cross-team working session to define security standards for our next-generation sharing features

Afternoon:

Review and approve security exception requests, balancing risk with business needs
Partner with other senior engineers to establish security patterns that will scale across all Photos services
Present the quarterly security roadmap to Photos leadership
Guide teams through complex security decisions
Shape security requirements for major new Photos initiatives
Define security metrics and success criteria for the organization

Evening:

Enjoy the evening, secure in the knowledge that your work has safeguarded the memories of millions of customers

About the team
We're a focused, high-impact security team being built from the ground up within Amazon Photos. Reporting directly to senior leadership, with technical direction from a Principal Engineer, team members have unprecedented access to guidance and support while maintaining the autonomy to shape our security future.

As one of our first dedicated security engineers, you'll help establish our team's culture and technical foundations. Our dedicated team is starting small, which means you'll have outsized influence on our direction and substantial ownership of our security landscape.

Our flat structure and direct senior leadership access means quick decision-making and minimal bureaucracy. If you enjoy building things from scratch and want to help define what security looks like for a service trusted by millions, this is your opportunity.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

3+ years of programming in Python, Ruby, Go, Swift, Java, .Net, C++ or similar object oriented language experience
Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
Knowledge of networking protocols such as HTTP, DNS and TCP/IP

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience leading other security engineers
Experience leading security initiatives
3+ years of any combination of the following: threat modeling experience, secure coding, identity management and authentication, software development, cryptography, system administration and network security experience
Experience with AWS products and services
Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, C++

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 $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 https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

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Senior Security Engineer, Amazon Photos