Manager III, Software Development, Perception Software, Perception, Vehicle Software

Are you ready to revolutionize the future of aerial delivery? Join our pioneering team working on autonomous drone technology that will transform how Amazon delivers to customers. As a Manager III, Software Development for our Perception team, you'll lead engineers building world-class machine learning models and computer vision systems that enable drones to safely navigate complex environments.

In this high-impact role, you'll guide the development of perception systems combining radar, machine learning, and distributed computing to solve unprecedented challenges in autonomous flight. Your work will directly shape the future of Amazon's drone delivery service, bringing innovative solutions to customers while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in autonomous systems technology.

Key job responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of software engineers developing advanced perception systems that integrate computer vision, machine learning algorithms, and detect-and-avoid capabilities for autonomous drones
- Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for perception technology, making strategic architectural decisions that balance current delivery needs with long-term innovation goals
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware engineers, autonomy specialists, and product stakeholders to deliver scalable, distributed systems that meet rigorous safety and performance requirements
- Establish audit mechanisms and metrics to track system performance, model accuracy, and team progress against goals, using data-driven insights to continuously improve customer experience
- Build and grow an inclusive, high-performing team through effective hiring, mentoring, and career development while fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence

A day in the life
You'll start your day reviewing operational metrics from recent flight tests, identifying areas where perception algorithms can improve detection accuracy. Mid-morning brings collaborative design sessions where you'll guide your team through complex technical tradeoffs in radar integration and machine learning model architecture. Afternoons might include project status reviews with stakeholders across the drone delivery program, followed by one-on-one coaching sessions with engineers working on novel computer vision solutions. You'll close the day evaluating technical proposals and planning resource allocation to accelerate development of next-generation perception capabilities.

About the team
The Perception team is at the heart of Amazon's autonomous drone delivery initiative, developing the advanced computer vision and machine learning systems that enable safe, reliable flight operations. Our team tackles fascinating challenges at the intersection of radar technology, distributed computing, and real-time detection algorithms, creating solutions that have never been built before. We work in an innovative, collaborative environment where every engineer's contribution directly impacts the future of delivery technology. As we scale Amazon's drone delivery to new locations, you'll help shape both the technical direction and team culture that will define this transformative service for years to come.

Basic Qualifications

- 3+ years of engineering team management experience
- 7+ years of working directly within engineering teams experience
- 3+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 8+ years of leading the definition and development of multi tier web services experience
- Knowledge of engineering practices and patterns for the full software/hardware/networks development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, certification, and livesite operations
- Experience partnering with product or program management teams

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in communicating with users, other technical teams, and senior leadership to collect requirements, describe software product features, technical designs, and product strategy
- Experience in recruiting, hiring, mentoring/coaching and managing teams of Software Engineers to improve their skills, and make them more effective, product software engineers

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 - 184,900.00 - 250,200.00 USD annually