Sr Software Engineer - BIOS, AWS Hardware Engineering, Firmware Development

Amazon • Cupertino, CA

17h

About The Position

The AWS BIOS Engineering team creates and maintains custom firmware solutions
for Amazon's innovative server platforms. Our BIOS/UEFI implementations are
industry-leading in security, performance, and operational excellence, and are
critical to the success of AWS's massive-scale infrastructure that millions of
customers rely on daily. Our BIOS engineers solve complex firmware challenges
and build robust, secure bootloader solutions that enable AWS to maintain its
competitive edge in cloud computing.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative self-starter with deep expertise in
UEFI/BIOS development. You will be a firmware specialist with comprehensive
knowledge of x86 and ARM64 architecture, secure boot implementations, and
low-level system programming. You will gain intimate understanding of AWS's
custom server firmware stack and analyze it for both current needs and future
scalability. You will leverage your system-level expertise to find optimal
solutions to complex boot-time challenges. You will collaborate with internal
teams (hardware, validation, security) and external partners (silicon vendors,
ODMs) while leading critical firmware development efforts.

What you will do:
- Design and implement custom UEFI/BIOS features for AWS server platforms
- Debug complex firmware issues using tools like ITP, ScanTool, and JTAG
- Optimize boot time performance and platform initialization sequences
- Implement secure boot mechanisms and firmware security features
- Develop and maintain Power-On Self Test (POST) code
- Create firmware update mechanisms and recovery solutions
- Work with hardware teams on board bring-up and platform validation

Why it matters:
AWS's custom server platforms require specialized firmware solutions that
maximize performance, security, and reliability at scale. Your BIOS developments
will directly impact millions of servers running in AWS data centers worldwide,
requiring unique optimizations that benefit our cloud infrastructure and
customers.

Why you will love it:
- Work on cutting-edge server platforms and next-generation silicon
- Direct impact on AWS infrastructure efficiency and security
- Ownership of critical firmware components from design through deployment
- Collaboration with industry leaders in cloud computing
- Access to advanced hardware labs and debug equipment
- Opportunity to influence future server architecture decisions
- Work with a team of experienced firmware engineers
- Join our diverse engineering organization where you'll help deliver the
firmware foundation for AWS's global infrastructure. You'll experience an
inclusive culture that welcomes innovative ideas and empowers you to own complex
technical challenges through to completion.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• 5+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain UEFI/BIOS code for server platforms
• Implement ACPI tables and power management features
• Create and maintain Platform Reference Code (PRC)
• Debug complex firmware issues using ITP, and JTAG tools
• Work directly with ODM partners
• Coordinate BIOS development efforts
• Review and validate ODM-provided BIOS code
• Support manufacturing bring-up and validation
• Interface with CPU/GPU vendors (Intel, AMD and Nvidia) for new platform bring-up
• Integrate and rebase Reference Code packages
• Support system validation and debugging
• Provide technical leadership in advanced features
• Mentor junior BIOS engineers
• Review technical specifications and design documents
• Lead architecture discussions and technical planning
• Establish coding standards and best practices
• Coordinate between international teams (US and Taiwan)
• Track project timelines and deliverables
• Interface with product management and customer teams
• Maintain relationships with silicon vendors
• Participate in industry forums and standards bodies
• Keep up with emerging technologies and industry trends

Benefits

• 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
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level