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Job Details
Posted date: Sep 28, 2026
Location: Seattle, WA
Estimated salary: $235,350
Range: $200,100 - $270,600
Description
Prime Air is seeking a Principal SW Systems Architect with deep expertise in embedded systems to drive the architectural vision for our autonomous drone delivery platforms. This role is central to two critical mission areas: supporting the Block 30 system of systems design and supporting next-generation drone prototyping and development.You will define and evolve the compute, sensor, and embedded architectures that underpin Prime Air's current and future delivery drone programs, working at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and flight software to deliver safe, certifiable, and scalable autonomous systems. This is a unique opportunity to work on one of the most ambitious and technically challenging programs at Amazon.
Key job responsibilities
Block 30 – System of Systems Design
- Define interface specifications, data flows, and communication architectures, author ICDs and system design specs, and ensure designs meet DO-178C, DO-254, and FAA certification requirements throughout the Block 30 lifecycle
- Lead architectural trade studies balancing power, weight, thermal, latency, and safety constraints, partnering with GNC, Perception, Flight Software, AMOS, PADDC, and Flight Test teams to support end-to-end mission requirements
Next-Generation Drone Prototyping & Development
- Define rapid prototyping strategies and establish reusable embedded platform patterns and reference architectures that accelerate development across future drone programs
- Support technology roadmap decisions for next-gen embedded platforms and build forward-looking embedded technology roadmaps tied to Prime Air's multi-year product and certification strategy
- Collaborate with external partners, semiconductor vendors, and research institutions to integrate embedded technologies into Prime Air's pipeline
Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
- Lead system-level design reviews and trade studies, and author key technical strategy documents, ADRs, and ICDs that shape organizational direction
- Drive alignment across Drone, BOSS, HAWK, and Simulation teams on embedded architecture standards and integration strategies
- Mentor senior engineers and SDMs, raising the embedded systems engineering bar across the organization
Qualifications
- 10+ years of non-internship professional software development experience- Knowledge of object-oriented design, data structures, and algorithms
Extended Qualifications
- Experience designing and building large-scale systems in a multi-tiered, distributed environment (Service Oriented Architecture)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 - 200,100.00 - 270,600.00 USD annually