July 21 2004: Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMZN) today announced that it will open a software development centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Amazon Development Centre, Scotland will focus on developing new and innovative website features to help Amazon's customers find and discover anything they want to buy online.
The new centre is looking for exceptional computer scientists and software engineers with entrepreneurial spirit to join the start-up team. There will be an emphasis at launch on recruiting outstanding professionals with more than three years of industry experience in C++ or Java, who are ready for a bigger and more challenging role. Backgrounds in distributed system architecture, large scale websites, machine learning, statistics or human / computer interface will be of benefit. Candidates should have experience designing and building complex yet maintainable systems, and should be able to do so in about one third the time most competent people think possible.
Successful candidates will receive meaningful equity compensation.
Amazon Development Centre, Scotland is expected to open during the second half of 2004. Interested candidates may apply now at www.amazondc.com.
Matt Round, Managing Director of the new centre commented: "We are delighted to announce the launch of Amazon Development Centre, Scotland. Amazon's technology teams have already built a world-class e-commerce platform and many industry leading features for the Amazon family of global web sites. The new centre will offer software developers in the UK the chance to play their part in driving the evolution of e-commerce."
Scotland's Enterprise Minister, Jim Wallace, welcomed Amazon.com's announcement. He said: "The announcement by Amazon.com today that it intends to site its new remote software development centre in the Lothians is tremendous news. Plans to create up to 40 high value jobs mainly in software development and design is testimony to the calibre of our highly-skilled talent pool. It is also evidence we can secure cutting-edge research and design-based work to provide high quality graduates with rewarding career opportunities here in Scotland.
"I am pleased that the Scottish Executive is prepared to support Amazon's software development centre with a Regional Selective Assistance offer of up to £250,000. Attracting investment in growth industries is an important strand of the Smart, Successful Scotland strategy.
"I would also like to thank Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian for working alongside the company to demonstrate that Scotland is a highly competitive location for innovative and creative business to grow."
The team at Amazon Development Centre, Scotland will own the business and technology side of features developed and will be involved in all aspects of the process - from idea generation, business analysis and technical design through to front, middle and back-tier software development across a variety of architectures and technologies.
At launch specific roles on offer include Technology and Business Managers, Software Engineers, Senior Software Engineers and a Graphical Designer. Candidates interested in finding out more about the opportunities available at Amazon Development Centre, Scotland should log onto www.amazondc.com or call Obvious Solutions on 0870 046 8080.
For further information, please contact:
Rachel Silk / Marie Fagan
Amazon Press Office
Tel no: 020 8636 9280 / 07768 695759
Email: rsilk@amazon.co.uk
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as health and personal care, jewelry and watches, gourmet food, sports and outdoors, apparel and accessories, books, music, DVDs, electronics and office, kids and baby, and home and garden.
Amazon.com operates six websites: www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.co.jp and www.amazon.ca.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, commercial agreements and strategic alliances, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, foreign exchange rates, management of potential growth, system interruption, international expansion, consumer trends, inventory, fulfillment center optimization, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and all subsequent filings.