The Java Runtimes Team (JRT) is seeking a Runtime Engineer to enhance the Java runtime that supports many of Amazon's production services. This role focuses on optimizing the JIT compiler, garbage collection, and systems-level software. The engineer will analyze production workloads, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to the JVM. Additionally, the position involves contributing to OpenJDK and building tools that leverage runtime expertise for broader application.

• 5+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
• 5+ years of programming experience with at least one software programming language
• 5+ years of experience leading design or architecture of new and existing systems
• Experience as a mentor, tech lead, or leading an engineering team
• 5+ years of experience in the full software development life cycle
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
• Knowledge of ARM CPUs
• Experience contributing to OpenJDK, the HotSpot JVM, or another production language runtime
• Depth in one or more GC algorithms and their performance trade-offs
• Compiler backend or optimization experience
• A track record of upstream open-source contributions or published performance work

• Analyze production JVM workloads to identify compiler, GC, and runtime bottlenecks.
• Design, implement, and benchmark improvements to JIT compilation, garbage collection, and core runtime subsystems.
• Contribute changes upstream to OpenJDK and to Amazon Corretto.
• Tune runtime behavior for performance and efficiency across x86 and Graviton architectures.
• Build and improve profiling, observability, and auto-tuning tooling.
• Validate performance and reliability of changes against real workloads.
• Partner with service teams to drive adoption of runtime improvements and newer JDK versions.

• Employees at Amazon are often offered comprehensive health benefits—including multiple medical plan options (no pre-existing condition exclusions, 100% covered in-network preventive care), dental and vision plans, a 24/7 medical advice line from day one, expert second-opinion services, and broad mental-health support with several free counseling sessions (including pediatric). Financial wellness typically includes a 401(k) with company match (up to 2%), Restricted Stock Units (equity), FSAs, an emergency savings program, product and partner discounts, and even college-savings and home-purchase programs. Overall, the package is designed to support employees and their families’ health, finances, and day-to-day life.