Loading...
Sr. Applied Scientist, Special Projects
Amazon
H1B ✓On-sitesenior levelPosted April 21, 2026
About the Role
Lead and execute complex research projects from ideation to production deployment while driving technical strategy for ML/AI initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teams to translate research into scalable products.
Requirements
Requires a PhD or a Master's degree with 6+ years of applied research experience. Candidates must have proficiency in programming languages like Java, C++, or Python and experience with machine learning systems.
Full Job Description
Innovators wanted! Are you an entrepreneur? A builder? A dreamer? This role is part of an Amazon Special Projects team that takes the company’s Think Big leadership principle to the extreme. We focus on creating entirely new products and services with a goal of positively impacting the lives of our customers. No industries or subject areas are out of bounds. If you’re interested in innovating at scale to address big challenges in the world, this is the team for you.
Here at Amazon, we embrace our differences. We are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We have thirteen employee-led affinity groups, reaching 40,000 employees in over 190 chapters globally. We are constantly learning through programs that are local, regional, and global. Amazon’s culture of inclusion is reinforced within our 16 Leadership Principles, which remind team members to seek diverse perspectives, learn and be curious, and earn trust.
Our team highly values work-life balance, mentorship and career growth. We believe striking the right balance between your personal and professional life is critical to life-long happiness and fulfillment. We care about your career growth and strive to assign projects and offer training that will challenge you to become your best.
Key job responsibilities
- Lead and execute complex, ambiguous research projects from ideation to production deployment
- Drive technical strategy and roadmap decisions for ML/AI initiatives
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teams to translate research into scalable products
- Publish research findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to the broader scientific community
- Establish best practices for ML experimentation, evaluation, and deployment Basic Qualifications: - PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience delivering results for large, cross-functional initiatives/projects, or experience in solving complex business challenges by delivering accurate and timely financial models, analysis, and recommendations that have a proven impact on business (e.g., financial savings, operational improvements, or customer benefits)
- Experience with Machine Learning and Large Language Model fundamentals, including architecture, training/inference lifecycles, and optimization of model execution, or experience in development in the last 3 years
- Experience with training and deploying machine learning systems to solve large-scale optimizations Preferred Qualifications: - Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
- Have publications on top-tier conferences, such as CVPR, ICCV, ECCV or NeurIPS
- Experience providing technical leadership on high-impact cross-fucntional technical project
- Experience with autonomous AI frameworks (e.g. Dreamer, PlaNet, JEPA, NVIDIA Cosmos)
- Knowledge of decentralized optimization methods (e.g. swarm intelligence) Familiarity with advanced optimization and control methods (multi-objective optimization, constrained optimization, discrete optimization, model-based optimization, stochastic optimization, distributed control).
- Experience developing and maintaining digital twins
- Experience with multiscale geospatial modeling and forecasting
- Track record of translating research into production systems at scale
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.
USA, NY, New York - 183,800.00 - 248,700.00 USD annually
Here at Amazon, we embrace our differences. We are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We have thirteen employee-led affinity groups, reaching 40,000 employees in over 190 chapters globally. We are constantly learning through programs that are local, regional, and global. Amazon’s culture of inclusion is reinforced within our 16 Leadership Principles, which remind team members to seek diverse perspectives, learn and be curious, and earn trust.
Our team highly values work-life balance, mentorship and career growth. We believe striking the right balance between your personal and professional life is critical to life-long happiness and fulfillment. We care about your career growth and strive to assign projects and offer training that will challenge you to become your best.
Key job responsibilities
- Lead and execute complex, ambiguous research projects from ideation to production deployment
- Drive technical strategy and roadmap decisions for ML/AI initiatives
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teams to translate research into scalable products
- Publish research findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to the broader scientific community
- Establish best practices for ML experimentation, evaluation, and deployment Basic Qualifications: - PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience delivering results for large, cross-functional initiatives/projects, or experience in solving complex business challenges by delivering accurate and timely financial models, analysis, and recommendations that have a proven impact on business (e.g., financial savings, operational improvements, or customer benefits)
- Experience with Machine Learning and Large Language Model fundamentals, including architecture, training/inference lifecycles, and optimization of model execution, or experience in development in the last 3 years
- Experience with training and deploying machine learning systems to solve large-scale optimizations Preferred Qualifications: - Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
- Have publications on top-tier conferences, such as CVPR, ICCV, ECCV or NeurIPS
- Experience providing technical leadership on high-impact cross-fucntional technical project
- Experience with autonomous AI frameworks (e.g. Dreamer, PlaNet, JEPA, NVIDIA Cosmos)
- Knowledge of decentralized optimization methods (e.g. swarm intelligence) Familiarity with advanced optimization and control methods (multi-objective optimization, constrained optimization, discrete optimization, model-based optimization, stochastic optimization, distributed control).
- Experience developing and maintaining digital twins
- Experience with multiscale geospatial modeling and forecasting
- Track record of translating research into production systems at scale
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, NY, New York - 183,800.00 - 248,700.00 USD annually