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How do you get items to customers quickly, cost-effectively, and—most importantly—safely, in less than an hour? And how do you do it in a way that can scale? Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been working hard to do just that! We are delivering to customers, and are excited for what’s to come. Check out more information about Prime Air on the About Amazon blog (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-delivery-drone-reveal-photos).

If you are seeking an iterative environment where you can drive innovation, apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve real world delivery challenges, and provide benefits to customers, Prime Air is the place for you.

Come work on the Amazon Prime Air Team!

We're looking for a Research Scientist with a background in developing simulations for traffic management algorithms, including expert knowledge in strategic deconfliction, tactical deconfliction, or detect-and-avoid systems. Managing a large number of concurrent autonomous drone flights that share airspace with other autonomous or manned aircraft is a challenging problem. Be part of the team building simulation tools and algorithms to solve this at scale.

This role will contribute to a portfolio of simulation tools managing concurrent airspace traffic for aviation systems. This will include developing new methodologies in the areas of conflict detection and resolution, as well as developing related software systems that will be used in operation to enable package delivery at scale. The ideal candidate is comfortable with risk-taking and ambiguity and able to build consensus on critical, controversial technical decisions. If you enjoy the process of solving real-world problems that haven’t been solved at scale anywhere before, Prime Air is right for you. Along the way, we guarantee you’ll get opportunities to be a disruptor, prolific innovator, and a reputed problem solver and directly impact Amazon’s customers worldwide.


Key job responsibilities
The primary focus of this role will be on modeling traffic management frameworks that use a layered conflict detection and resolution strategy to ensure safe and efficient flight operations. This will include developing fundamental simulation infrastructure code, including discrete event simulation tooling. In addition, it will involve developing expert knowledge of the layers of mitigation and conducting in-depth scientific research on alternative solutions for conflict resolution. The candidate will contribute to significant and impactful systems that will provide value for Amazon customers and will drive these projects from the concept stage through development. This role will include substantial software development in prototyping and production environments.

Basic Qualifications

- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Knowledge of at least one modern programming language such as C, C++, Java, or Perl
- Experience doing research on air traffic management algorithms

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience developing software in a production environment
- Experience publishing and presenting scientific research in professional journals or conferences
- Experience with building discrete event simulation tools from first principles, air traffic flow management, routing algorithms

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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 - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually