Amazon employees

Amazon Technical Academy trains Amazon employees in the U.S. with the skills needed to become entry-level Software Development Engineers (SDE) in as little as nine months. Tuition is free and participants are paid to learn.
Amazon Technical Academy is committed to selecting participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences across gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, military status, education, previous work, and more.
Eligibility requirements
Amazon Technical Academy accepts applications from regular full-time or reduced-time Amazon employees in good performance standing who have at least 12 months of blue badge tenure by the time classes start. Applicants must have a GED or high school diploma. All applicants must have valid unrestricted work authorization throughout the entire 9-month training.
Learn more about all eligibility requirements.
Please note: Amazon does not provide any immigration support or sponsorship for the participation in this training program. All applicants must have valid unrestricted work authorization throughout the entire 9-month training. Current Amazon visa sponsored employees and employees in F-1 visa status are not eligible to participate.
How to apply
ATA is not accepting new applications at this time. Prospective applicants are advised to check back for announcements about the next application cycle.
The full online application process includes timed tests to measure your reasoning abilities and knowledge of Java fundamentals. Amazon Technical Academy offers study guides, sample questions, and other resources for the assessments so you can prepare.
Successful applicants
If you are accepted to Amazon Technical Academy, you would have to leave your current Amazon position and internally transfer to ATA. Your current pay is replaced with a standard hourly rate for ATA Participants. If applicable, your previously awarded signing payments will continue to be paid, and RSUs will continue to vest. Your Amazon Benefits elections will remain the same.
Classes are held virtually during the nine-month program. However, employees may need to relocate once they move to their SDE roles.
Learn more and see full details on the ATA internal program on the ATA Employee Portal.




I am amazed at what I learned in just under a year. I expected it to be fast-paced (and it was), but there was so much support throughout that it was not hard to keep up.
SDEs are found throughout most organizations within Amazon. This means you could work anywhere from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alexa to the technology teams that support the World Wide Operations Network.
Note that ATA isn’t affiliated with other upskilling programs at Amazon and cannot provide additional information. If you have questions about other upskilling opportunities, please contact those programs directly.