AWS positions with "US Intelligence Community"

Jul 23, 2019 18 Comments

I was reached out to by a recruiter regarding SysEng roles in AWS, with the main client being the "US Intelligence Community". I assume this means NSA, FBI, CIA, DoD, etc, and because thre locations are for Seattle or Washington DC area. The roles sound pretty cool, but also require the ability to obtain/maintain a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.

I am curious about a couple things (directed toward anyone with some knowledge of these roles):

1) I have a criminal conviction (reckless driving...pretty stupid, I know). Would this immediatley disqualify me?

2) I have heard Amazon typically doesnt drug test for Eng/IT roles, but with the intense security clearance it sounds like they might. The only substance I use recreationally (besides alcohol and caffeine) is cannabis. I am definitely a regular user, but not very heavy. I like to enjoy a joint before bedtime most nights. Not that quantity really matters, but being a regular user, I would want a month or so to clear my system. I am pretty lean (6'0/160lbs ex-athlete), so I think 1, maybe 2 months max should be good. Anyone at AWS have some inside info on this? I wouldnt bother quitting for 1 or 2 months if I wasnt going to be tested...

Any info or insight is greatly appreciated 👍

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TOP 18 Comments
  • Amazon / Eng
    @>_

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    @>_
    If you use cannabis you won't get a clearance. Full stop. Not even worth trying, honestly. It's not an Amazon decision, it's a US Govt decision.
    Jul 23, 2019 8
  • Infor / Consultant
    inbidnit

    Go to company page Infor Consultant

    inbidnit
    Your only hope is if you cleared out your system (could take up to six weeks), and that you bought the weed off the black market and not legally. If you bought if legally you are already in their database.

    The reckless driving would be less of an issue as far as clearance.
    Jul 23, 2019 6
  • My husband was approached by AWS regarding this role and he just finished his security clearance paperwork for another job, just waiting for the actual clearance to arrive. It is tedious and during his clearance interview he was explicitly told to unfriend his burning man friends because of their drug usage. You won't get a clearance if you use drugs or you have foreign ties and also if you are in extreme debt. Another thing was that AWS was more keen on him "already" having the clearance rather than applying for it. They said "they didn't want his clearance to go to waste". Chances of them actually applying seemed minimal. If you already have it, you might be a shoe in for the job. Not sure otherwise, tbh.
    Jul 23, 2019 0
  • New
    Ra360

    New

    Ra360
    Depends on which Poly but more then likely you won’t pass, best to look for no higher then a TS and then if you have a felony that will work against you too. I heard TS’s are taking up to 3 years at the moment.
    Jan 3, 2021 0