Sr Applied Scientist, Cryptographic Libraries

Job Description

Job Title: Sr. Applied Scientist, Amazon Cryptographic Libraries. Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain machine-checked proofs verifying the correctness of cryptographic implementations in AWS-LC.
• Specify the functional behavior of low-level cryptographic code written in Rust, C, and assembly using formal notation.
• Verify implementations using automatic and interactive provers such as HOL-Light, Verus, and CBMC;
• Apply formal methods, program analysis, and rigorous testing to improve the security assurance of a widely deployed cryptographic codebase.
• Implement and optimize cryptographic algorithms for production use, including post-quantum algorithms such as ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA.
• Work with senior scientists and AWS's Automated Reasoning Group on formal verification.
• Assist with the career development of other team members by mentoring individuals and the broader technical community.
• Publish patents and peer-reviewed research papers.
• Present research findings internally and externally;
• Develop formal specifications, implementations, and correctness proofs for cryptographic algorithms.
• Use interactive theorem provers and AI-assisted tools to develop and validate proofs end to end.
• Help refine algorithm implementations to improve both performance and verifiability.

Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent research experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Mathematical logic
  • Formal verification
  • Satisfiability solving, including SAT/SMT
  • Mechanical theorem proving
  • Model checking
  • Program analysis

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with automatic or interactive program verification tools such as HOL Light, CBMC, Verus, or Lean.
• Experience specifying or verifying low-level software, including machine code or assembly.
• Familiarity with cryptographic primitives and their implementation;
• Low-level or systems programming experience in Rust, C, or assembly.
• Familiarity with post-quantum cryptography, including lattice-based, code-based, or hash-based schemes.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary: $167,100 to $226,100 per year for Seattle, WA.
• Sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs) may be included in the compensation package.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Basic Life & AD&D insurance, with supplemental life insurance options;
• Employee Assistance Program and mental health support.
• Medical Advice Line and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage.
• 401(k) matching.
• Paid time off.
• Parental leave.

Other Information:

• Amazon is an equal opportunity employer.
• Workplace accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application and hiring process.
• The role focuses on formal verification, cryptographic implementation, algorithm optimization, and post-quantum cryptography;
• The position is part of Amazon Cryptographic Libraries, which maintains AWS-LC, Amazon's FIPS-validated cryptographic library.
• The team's cryptographic infrastructure supports AWS services and external open-source projects.