Applied Scientist, Devices and Services

PhD or equivalent Master's Degree plus relevant experience in Cryptography, CS, Mathematics or related field - Experience programming in C, C++, Java, Rust, Go or related language

Job summary

The Digital and Services Trust & Security (DSTS) team at Amazon is responsible for the security of Amazon devices and their connected backend services including Alexa, the Kindle, Fire TV, network systems such as Kuiper and Sidewalk, and Ring devices such as video doorbell, cameras, and lighting. DSTS team members are the experts in secure development and implementation, pen-testing, and the secure development lifecycle.

The *Digital and Services Crypto Team (DS-Crypto)* in DSTS sets strategic direction for use of cryptography in devices through research, development, training and consultation. Members of the DS-Crypto Team research advances in cryptographic standards and algorithms, serving as the experts for post-quantum cryptography, homomorphic encryption, lightweight cryptography, security protocols, and the implementation of these technologies. When new cryptographic technologies are needed and unavailable, DS-Crypto builds (or partners with development teams to build) such capabilities to expand the technology shelf of available solutions. Team members provide the cryptographic expertise for DSTS development teams for consultative design exploration and security design reviews. Cryptography team members contribute to advancing DSTS’s level-of-knowledge by developing and leading training classes and adding to the cryptography and devices security body-of-knowledge increasing development team’s self-sufficiency.

Key job responsibilities
- Develop strategy, plans, and collateral to enable DSTS to transition to PQ cryptographic algorithms in our Devices and Services products
- Rapidly design, prototype and test many possible hypotheses to enhance PQC algorithm operation, performance and security for DSTS products, addressing highly ambiguous requirements for the device environment and attacker capabilities, making use of both quantitative and business judgment.
- Produce collaterals to guide and influence development teams in adoption of PQC for devices leveraging techniques and proof-of-concept code gleaned from successful experiments
- Develop innovative solutions using PQC algorithms to solve DSTS product team’s security problems
- Perform trade-offs between cryptography, business-needs and security requirements to recommend best algorithm solutions and timings for transition taking into account software, hardware, backend services and market acceptance
- Participate in development of requirements and hardware/software implementations for performant implementations of new cryptographic algorithms

About the team

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at Amazon Device, we embrace our differences. We are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. Amazon’s culture of inclusion is reinforced within our 14 Leadership Principles, which remind team members to seek diverse perspectives, learn and be curious, and earn trust.

Work/Life Balance

Our team puts a high value on work-life balance. We believe striking the right balance between your personal and professional life is critical to life-long happiness and fulfillment. We offer flexibility in working hours and encourage you to find your own balance between your work and personal lives.

Desired Skills/Experience
- Deep understanding/experience in new and advancing cryptographic algorithms including post-quantum cryptography, homomorphic encryption, and light-weight symmetric cryptography
- Understanding or experience in hardening techniques for software and hardware-based implementations of cryptographic algorithms (e.g. side-channel protection)
- Cryptanalysis techniques
- Experience with defining organizational research and development practices in an industry setting
- Experience with information security, threat analysis, security protocol design & implementation or related domain
- Meets/exceeds Amazon’s leadership principles requirements for this role
- Meets/exceeds Amazon’s functional/technical depth and complexity for this role
- Able to work in a diverse team