Senior Software Development Engineer, AWS RDS for SQL Server

RDS provides customers with databases that have multiple-nines of durability and availability. Achieving this level of reliability requires building control and monitoring systems that automatically detect and handle failures within seconds and data replication options that accommodate various geographical distribution and disaster recovery objectives all while supporting huge numbers of databases multiple database engines and a wide variety of customer workloads.
This role is on the AWS RDS for SQL Server team responsible for making it easy for customers to set up operate and scale SQL Server deployments in the cloud. We build and operate the high availability automated failover patching and lifecycle management systems that keep customers SQL Server databases running with minimal interruption.

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer who thrives on solving fundamental problems in distributed systems state machine logic performance and fault tolerance. You will lead the design and delivery of complex features end-to-end mentor engineers on the team and drive technical decisions that directly impact customer availability. You bring a strong sense of ownership passion for great customer experience and excellent troubleshooting skills in high-pressure situations.
For more information: job responsibilities
Design and operate highly available distributed systems that serve production customer workloads at scale

Define strategy in ambiguity: Identify problems and opportunities where the path forward isnt clear and design long-term solutions using sound judgment and stakeholder input

Lead end-to-end delivery: Own the full lifecycle of solutions from scoping and design through execution simplifying complexity for the best outcome

Drive cross-functional influence: Collaborate across teams organizations and geographies to align on goals and deliver results across one or more programs

Solve complex problems: Tackle challenging business and technology issues define project requirements and resolve escalations decisively

Communicate at all levels: Write strategic narratives and present to senior leadership; build consensus across diverse stakeholders

Balance short-term and long-term: Make trade-offs between immediate delivery needs and sustainable scalable solutions while mitigating long-term risks

Mentor and develop talent: Coach and grow team members raising the bar on team capability

Drive operational excellence: Champion best practices and process improvements that elevate team performance

Clear blockers and drive resolution: Navigate difficult situations escalate appropriately and keep programs moving forward

Deliver lasting impact: Produce work that shapes long-term team direction and goals

A day in the life
As a Senior SDE youll split your time between hands-on coding and leading technical direction for your team. Day-to-day youre designing systems reviewing architectures unblocking engineers and writing narratives to align stakeholders from product managers and designers to senior leadership. You own ambiguous cross-cutting problems end-to-end: figuring out what to build driving consensus when people disagree making trade-off calls and mentoring junior devs along the way. Its part IC part tech lead and youre expected to find the path forward even when the problem isnt well-defined.

About the team
Were the team behind Amazon RDS for SQL Server making it simple for customers to run SQL Server in the cloud without wrestling with infrastructure. We tackle complex distributed systems challenges (automated failover zero-downtime patching scaling at cloud speed) for customers ranging from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. The culture is collaborative high-ownership and low on bureaucracy: we ship fast learn from our customers and genuinely enjoy the work. If you like solving puzzles that millions of people quietly depend on every day youll fit right in.

AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting hasnt followed a traditional path or includes alternative experiences dont let it stop you from applying.

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- 5 years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 5 years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
- 5 years of leading design or architecture (design patterns reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience as a mentor tech lead or leading an engineering team

- Bachelors degree in computer science or equivalent
- Experience with full software development life cycle including coding standards code reviews source control management build processes testing and operations or experience managing teams

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 youre applying in isnt 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 WA Redmond - 168100.00 - 227400.00 USD annually