PACE Engagement Manager , Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE) at Amazon

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: PACE Engagement Manager , Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE)

Company: Amazon

Location: Tokyo, Tōkyō, Japan

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engagement Management / Technical Program Management (with emphasis on Prototyping and Cloud Engineering)

Date Posted: 2025-06-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Remote OK

🎨 Role Summary

Drive cutting-edge prototyping and cloud engineering engagements for enterprise customers leveraging emerging AWS technologies like AI/ML, Big Data, and IoT.
Act as the primary liaison between customers and internal Prototyping Architects and Software Development Engineers, ensuring successful project delivery.
Identify strategic prototyping opportunities by deeply understanding customer business priorities and technical architectures.
Champion the value proposition of innovation and cloud adoption on the AWS platform to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional design role, this position requires a high degree of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and understanding of how technology innovation impacts user needs and business outcomes. The ability to articulate a compelling vision and manage complex projects involving technical prototyping aligns with skills valuable in Design Program Management or Innovation Design roles. The focus on emerging technologies necessitates a forward-thinking, design-adjacent mindset.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Proactively identify and qualify prototyping opportunities with customers, sales teams, and account teams, diving deep into customer business priorities and technical architectures.
Create, articulate, and position a compelling vision and value proposition for innovating, prototyping, and engineering on the AWS platform, highlighting financial, technological, and transformational value.
Collaborate with Solutions Architecture leadership to support customers in the exploration, ideation, engineering, and delivery of innovative cloud-based solutions leveraging a broad range of technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Analytics, Internet of Things, computer vision, and augmented/virtual reality.
Qualify, execute, and deliver strategic innovation, prototyping, and developer transformation outcomes for a variety of customers across diverse industries.
Establish engagement scope and define working arrangements in collaboration with customer technical and business stakeholders, evaluating feasibility, potential long-term impact, and outcomes.
Drive collaboration across cross-functional internal teams and facilitate stakeholder management at all levels, from senior customer leadership to project teams.
Develop extensive executive and senior technical relationships within client organizations, becoming a trusted advisor for innovation and cloud technology.
Help customers structure technical and organizational resources to maximize benefits from innovation, prototyping, and AWS cloud adoption.
Capture learnings and customer feedback from engagements and disseminate insights across the organization to improve services and products, participating in awareness campaigns and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight the need for strong technical understanding alongside project and stakeholder management. For design professionals considering this role, showcasing experience in managing projects with technical dependencies, communicating complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders, and understanding the impact of technology on user experience and business strategy will be crucial.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in a technical field, business, or a related area is typically expected. Experience in technical program management or a related discipline is highly valued.

Experience: Minimum 4+ years of progressive experience in technical product or program management, with a strong track record of managing complex projects from initiation to completion. Experience working with cloud technologies and engaging directly with enterprise customers is highly beneficial. While not a pure design role, experience managing projects with significant design or user experience components would be a valuable asset.

Required Skills:

4+ years of technical product or program management experience, demonstrating the ability to define requirements, manage timelines, and deliver technical outcomes.
4+ years of project management disciplines experience, including expertise in managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, risks, and critical paths for technical projects.
Proven experience managing programs across cross-functional teams, establishing efficient processes, and coordinating complex release schedules.
Strong understanding of cloud technologies and their potential applications for innovation and business transformation.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

3+ years of experience working directly with engineering teams, demonstrating an understanding of software development lifecycles and technical challenges.
3+ years of software development experience, providing a deeper technical foundation and credibility when engaging with engineering and customer technical teams.
Experience with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Analytics, IoT, computer vision, or augmented/virtual reality.
Experience in a customer-facing role, successfully managing relationships and delivering value for enterprise clients.
Ability to dive deep into technical details while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on technical program management and project management aligns this role more closely with a technical or product-focused track. However, the need to understand customer needs and articulate value proposition requires a skill set that overlaps with strategic design roles. Candidates from a design background with strong technical acumen and project management experience could potentially transition into this type of role or leverage these skills in a Design Program Management capacity.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials: While a traditional design portfolio showcasing visual design or UI/UX artifacts is not the primary requirement, candidates should prepare materials that demonstrate their ability to:

Document and articulate the process of managing complex technical projects, from ideation and planning through execution and delivery.
Present case studies of successful technology engagements or prototyping initiatives they have managed, highlighting the problem, the approach, the technologies used, and the business outcomes achieved.
Showcase their ability to translate customer needs and business objectives into technical project requirements and scopes.
Illustrate their approach to managing cross-functional teams and facilitating collaboration in technical environments.

Process Documentation: Prepare documentation that demonstrates your expertise in:

Defining project scope, objectives, and success criteria for technical engagements.
Managing project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively.
Identifying and mitigating risks in technical projects.
Communicating project progress, challenges, and outcomes to diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For design professionals applying, consider framing your portfolio around "design project management" or "innovation project management." Focus on projects where you played a key role in defining the problem, managing the process, collaborating with technical teams, and demonstrating impact. Case studies should highlight your strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex technical landscapes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on research for similar technical program/engagement manager roles at large technology companies in Tokyo, Japan, considering the experience level (5-10 years) and the specialized nature of cloud and prototyping work, the estimated annual salary range is between ¥10,000,000 and ¥18,000,000 JPY. This estimate takes into account the cost of living in Tokyo, the competitive landscape for technical talent, and typical compensation structures at global tech firms in the region. This is an estimate and the actual salary may vary based on experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits: Amazon typically offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

Health insurance coverage (potentially including medical, dental, and vision).
Retirement savings plan (such as a 401(k) or local equivalent) with potential company match.
Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
Stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of compensation.
Employee discounts on Amazon products and services.
Potential for professional development and training opportunities, particularly in cloud technologies and project management.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Given the nature of customer engagement and global collaboration, some flexibility may be required, and occasional work outside of standard business hours might be necessary to accommodate different time zones or critical project deadlines. The "Work/Life Balance" section in the original description suggests a focus on flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the Tokyo tech market. It is important for candidates to research current market rates and consider their specific experience and negotiation skills. The benefits listed are standard for a large tech company like Amazon but should be confirmed during the interview process.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Software Development / Cloud Computing. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a global leader in cloud computing, providing a vast array of services that power businesses worldwide. This role sits within the Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE) team, focused on leveraging these services for customer innovation.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees globally (over 700,000 employees according to LinkedIn). As a massive global organization, Amazon offers extensive resources, diverse teams, and opportunities for large-scale impact. However, navigating a large organization requires strong communication and collaboration skills.

Founded: 1994. Amazon has a long history of innovation and disruption, starting as an online bookstore and evolving into a global e-commerce and cloud computing giant. The company culture emphasizes customer obsession and long-term thinking.

Team Structure:

The PACE team interacts with leading companies to innovate and deliver mission-critical business solutions on AWS.
This role involves close collaboration with Prototyping Architects and Software Development Engineers.
The Engagement Manager acts as a bridge between customer stakeholders and the internal technical delivery team.
Reporting structure likely involves leadership within the AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services (SMGS) organization.

Methodology:

Emphasis on creative problem-solving approaches for customer engagements.
Likely utilizes agile or iterative methodologies for prototyping and engineering projects.
Focus on exploration, ideation, engineering, and delivery of innovative solutions.

Company Website: https://www.amazon.com

📝 Enhancement Note: While Amazon has a strong design presence in areas like e-commerce and devices, the AWS culture is heavily focused on engineering and technical delivery. For design professionals, understanding how design thinking and user-centered approaches can be integrated into technical prototyping and cloud engineering projects will be key to success in this environment. Highlighting experience in technically complex domains will be advantageous.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: While not a design role, this position aligns with a Mid-Senior level technical program or engagement management career path within a large technology organization. Responsibilities involve independent project ownership, stakeholder management, and contributing to strategic initiatives within the PACE team.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a manager or director within the AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services (SMGS) organization, potentially within a regional or specialized PACE team structure.

Design Impact: This role indirectly impacts user experience by enabling customers to build innovative solutions on AWS. While not directly involved in UI/UX design, success in this role means facilitating the creation of products and services that ultimately serve end-users. Understanding user needs and the importance of a positive user experience can inform project scoping and technical implementation discussions.

Growth Opportunities:

Advancement within the PACE team to a Senior Engagement Manager or leadership role, managing larger or more complex engagements.
Transition into other technical program management or product management roles within AWS or other parts of Amazon.
Specialization in specific emerging technologies (AI/ML, IoT, etc.) and leading engagements focused on those areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: For design professionals interested in moving into more strategic or technical roles, this position offers a pathway to gain experience in cloud technologies, technical project management, and customer engagement within a leading tech company. The skills developed in this role are transferable to design leadership or technical product design roles that require strong technical understanding and project management capabilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Corporate Office / Remote. The role is listed as "Remote OK," suggesting flexibility in the primary work location. However, being based in Tokyo implies potential for on-site work, particularly for customer meetings or team collaboration. Amazon's Tokyo office would likely provide a professional corporate environment.

Office Location(s): Tokyo, Japan. Specific office details would be provided during the interview process.

Design Workspace Context:

While not a dedicated design studio, the work environment is likely collaborative, involving interaction with technical teams.
Resources for remote work are expected given the "Remote OK" status.
Opportunities for interaction with technical experts and potentially customer design teams.

Work Schedule: Flexible to some extent due to the "Work/Life Balance" emphasis, but requires availability for customer engagements and internal team collaboration, which may involve adapting to different time zones, especially for global initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status is a significant benefit, offering flexibility. However, candidates should clarify expectations regarding required in-office time, particularly for a location like Tokyo where in-person meetings are still common. Understanding the team's preferred collaboration methods (virtual vs. in-person) is also important.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process: While this is not a traditional design role, the interview process will likely involve multiple stages assessing technical understanding, project management skills, customer engagement abilities, and cultural fit. Expect:

Initial screening call with a recruiter to discuss experience and fit.
Technical screening(s) to assess understanding of cloud technologies and potentially technical project management concepts.
Loop interviews with team members, including Prototyping Architects, Software Development Engineers, and potentially other Engagement Managers or leadership.
Behavioral questions based on Amazon's Leadership Principles, assessing problem-solving, ownership, bias for action, and other key traits.
Case study or presentation component where you may be asked to discuss your experience managing a complex technical project or propose a solution for a hypothetical customer scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips: As noted, a traditional design portfolio isn't the focus. Instead, prepare a structured presentation or document that highlights your experience in:

Managing complex technical projects, detailing your role, responsibilities, and outcomes.
Engaging with customers to understand their needs and translate them into technical requirements.
Collaborating with cross-functional technical teams (architects, engineers).
Problem-solving in a technical context.

Challenge Preparation: Be prepared for potential case studies or hypothetical scenarios related to:

Defining the scope and plan for a customer prototyping engagement leveraging specific AWS services.
Addressing challenges or risks that may arise during a technical project.
Communicating technical concepts and project status to non-technical stakeholders.

ATS Keywords: Cloud Technologies, AWS, Prototyping, Engineering, Technical Program Management, Project Management, Engagement Management, Stakeholder Management, Customer Relationship Management, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Computer Vision, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Innovation, Problem Solving, Cross-functional Collaboration, Agile, Scrum, Technical Architecture, Value Proposition, Business Outcomes, Enterprise Customers, Solution Delivery, Risk Management, Scope Definition, Budget Management, Schedule Management, Quality Management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for technical roles at Amazon is known to be rigorous and heavily focused on their Leadership Principles. Candidates should thoroughly prepare examples that demonstrate these principles in action within their past project management or technical roles. Practicing articulating project experiences using the STAR method is highly recommended.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools: Not applicable as this is not a design role focused on creating visual or interactive artifacts. The focus is on managing projects that utilize various AWS services and potentially other technical tools.

Collaboration & Handoff: While specific tools aren't listed, typical tools used in a technical environment at Amazon may include:

Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana, internal tools) for tracking tasks and progress.
Communication Platforms (e.g., Slack, Chime) for team and customer communication.
Documentation Tools (e.g., Confluence, internal wikis) for project details and knowledge sharing.
Version Control Systems (e.g., Git) for tracking code changes (relevant for understanding the engineering team's workflow).

Research & Testing: Tools used by the technical teams may include:

AWS Services for data collection, analysis, and machine learning.
Prototyping platforms relevant to specific technologies being explored (e.g., IoT development kits, ML frameworks).
Testing frameworks and tools used by Software Development Engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role doesn't require proficiency in design tools like Sketch or Figma, familiarity with project management and collaboration tools common in technical environments is essential. Understanding the tools and technologies used by the technical teams you will be managing is also beneficial for effective communication and project oversight.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values: While not explicitly a design team, the underlying values of Amazon that influence all teams include:

Customer Obsession: All efforts should start with the customer and work backward to deliver value. In this role, this means deeply understanding customer needs and ensuring prototyping engagements address their key business challenges.
Invent and Simplify: Encouraging innovation and finding simpler solutions to complex problems. This is central to the prototyping aspect of the role.
Are Right, A Lot: Striving for accuracy and good judgment, even in ambiguous situations. Important for qualifying opportunities and scoping projects effectively.
Learn and Be Curious: Continuously learning and exploring new possibilities. Essential given the focus on emerging technologies.

Collaboration Style:

Highly collaborative, working closely with Prototyping Architects and Software Development Engineers.
Requires strong stakeholder management skills to align internal teams and customer expectations.
Likely involves regular meetings, status updates, and collaborative problem-solving sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding and demonstrating alignment with Amazon's Leadership Principles is critical for success in the interview process and the role itself. Candidates should prepare specific examples from their past experience that illustrate how they embody these principles, particularly those related to customer obsession, innovation, and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges: While not design challenges in the traditional sense, challenges in this role include:

Managing the complexity of technical prototyping projects involving cutting-edge and sometimes unproven technologies.
Balancing customer expectations with technical feasibility and project constraints.
Navigating a large, matrixed organization to secure resources and align stakeholders.
Staying updated on the rapidly evolving landscape of AWS services and emerging cloud technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Extensive learning resources available on AWS services and cloud computing.
Opportunities to work with leading-edge technologies and innovative customer use cases.
Development of advanced project and program management skills in a technical context.
Potential for mentorship within Amazon's technical and leadership tracks.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach technical challenges, manage ambiguity, and stay current with technological advancements. Highlighting instances where you successfully delivered projects involving new or complex technologies will strengthen your application.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions: While not a design process, be prepared to discuss your approach to managing technical projects, including:

How you define project scope and requirements, particularly when dealing with innovative or loosely defined ideas.
Your process for planning, executing, and monitoring technical projects.
How you identify and mitigate risks in technical engagements.

Company Culture Questions: Prepare to discuss your alignment with Amazon's Leadership Principles. Be ready to provide specific examples related to:

A time you demonstrated customer obsession by going above and beyond to meet a customer's needs in a technical project.
An instance where you invented or simplified a process or solution.
How you have handled disagreements or conflicts within a team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: Focus on presenting case studies of technical projects you have managed. Structure your presentation to highlight:

The business problem and the technical challenge.
Your role and responsibilities in managing the project.
The technical approach and technologies used.
The outcomes and impact of the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thoroughly research Amazon's Leadership Principles and prepare multiple examples for each. Practice articulating your experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide structured and impactful responses. Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your decisions and actions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Tailor your resume to highlight technical program/project management experience, experience with cloud technologies (especially AWS), and customer engagement skills, incorporating relevant keywords from the ATS Keywords list.
Prepare a document or presentation showcasing your experience managing complex technical projects, focusing on process, collaboration, and outcomes.
Research Amazon's Leadership Principles and prepare specific examples from your experience that demonstrate these principles in action.
Familiarize yourself with the basics of AWS services and emerging technologies mentioned in the job description.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

PACE Engagement Manager , Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE)