Prototyping Solution Architect

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Prototyping Solution Architect
Company: Amazon
Location: Taipei City, Taiwan
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Cloud Operations / Solutions Architecture / GTM Enablement
Date Posted: 2025-08-21
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive customer success and adoption of AWS cloud services by building functional, hands-on prototypes that accelerate their experimentation journeys.
• Leverage cutting-edge technologies, including Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Serverless Architectures, to modernize legacy enterprise systems and architect innovative solutions.
• Collaborate closely with AWS Field Teams (Account Managers, Solution Architects, Technical Account Managers) and customers to understand unique challenges and deliver tangible business value.
• Act as a technical evangelist, conducting knowledge transfer sessions and contributing to customer-facing content such as whitepapers, tutorials, and open-source code.
• Continuously learn and experiment with emerging technologies to stay at the forefront of cloud innovation and drive impactful business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within AWS Global Sales and is focused on enabling customer adoption through hands-on technical prototyping. While not a traditional "operations" role in terms of internal process optimization, it requires a deep understanding of cloud operations, system design, and the ability to operationalize new technologies through functional proof-of-concepts, directly impacting customer GTM strategies and AWS service adoption.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver functional prototypes that demonstrate the value of AWS services and emerging technologies (AI/ML, Generative AI, Serverless, etc.) to accelerate customer experimentation and solution development.
• Partner with AWS Account Teams and customers to conduct deep-dive design exercises, architectural discussions, and hands-on workshops to solve complex business problems.
• Utilize Generative AI tools and techniques to assist customers in transforming legacy enterprise systems into modernized, cloud-native architectures that drive efficiency and innovation.
• Apply best practices in software engineering, cloud architecture, and systems design throughout the prototyping and solution development lifecycle.
• Share knowledge and expertise through effective knowledge transfer sessions with customers, partners, and internal AWS teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
• Proactively identify and experiment with new and emerging technologies, staying current with advancements in areas such as AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, IoT, and their potential applications for customers.
• Contribute to the creation of high-quality customer-facing technical content, including whitepapers, tutorials, blog posts, and open-source code repositories, to support broader AWS adoption and enablement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, hands-on approach to customer problem-solving through prototyping. This requires a strong understanding of how to translate business needs into technical solutions and demonstrate their feasibility, directly supporting the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for AWS services by accelerating customer adoption and innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience in roles such as Solutions Architect, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, or Technical Consultant, with a focus on cloud technologies and software development.
• Proven track record of designing, building, and deploying complex software solutions.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: Python, Ruby, Node.js, C#, or C++.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S, and load balancing.
• Experience with at least two of the following technical domains: cloud computing (AWS preferred), security best practices, storage solutions (e.g., object storage, block storage), or databases (relational like PostgreSQL/MySQL or NoSQL like DynamoDB/MongoDB).
• Familiarity with operating systems, including Unix, Linux, or Windows, and their core functionalities.
• Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and systems design methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience implementing cloud-based technology solutions, preferably on AWS.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Cloud Architecture, Systems Design, Software Development, Infrastructure Architecture, Data Engineering, or DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Generative AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Robotics, Blockchain, or IoT.
• Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.
• Ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level suggests a need for candidates who can not only build but also architect and guide customers through complex technical challenges. The preferred skills highlight a need for candidates with direct experience in cloud environments and a forward-looking approach to adopting new technologies, which is critical for a prototyping role focused on emerging tech.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex business requirements into functional, working prototypes.
• Examples of projects showcasing the application of cloud computing principles and services to solve real-world problems.
• Case studies or project descriptions that highlight system design, software architecture, and integration of various technology components.
• Evidence of leveraging emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, serverless) to create innovative solutions and drive tangible outcomes for stakeholders.
• Documentation or examples of code repositories that demonstrate proficiency in required programming languages and software engineering best practices.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document prototype development processes, including design choices, implementation steps, and testing methodologies.
• Experience in outlining workflow designs for modernized architectures, particularly for legacy system transformations.
• Capability to describe the integration of various AWS services and third-party tools to create comprehensive solutions.
• Understanding of how to measure and present the impact or potential ROI of prototyped solutions to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Prototyping Solution Architect, a portfolio is crucial for showcasing practical building skills and architectural thinking. It should emphasize the ability to rapidly iterate, demonstrate value, and effectively communicate technical solutions, aligning with operations' need for tangible, efficient, and impactful technical implementations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location (Taipei City, Taiwan), experience level (5-10 years), and the company (Amazon), a competitive salary can be expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Solutions Architects and Prototyping roles in Taiwan, the estimated annual salary range would be approximately TWD 1,800,000 - TWD 3,000,000 (New Taiwan Dollars). This estimate considers the high demand for cloud expertise, specialized skills in emerging technologies, and Amazon's compensation philosophy for technical roles.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, holidays, and sick leave.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications in AWS technologies.
• Employee stock purchase programs and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to Amazon's extensive internal learning resources and mentorship programs.
• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to Taiwan.
• Employee discounts on Amazon products and services.

Working Hours: The role is expected to adhere to standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the nature of client-facing roles and project-driven work in technology, flexibility may be required to meet customer needs and project deadlines. This could involve occasional work outside of standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on aggregated data from reputable job boards, salary comparison websites, and industry reports for similar roles in Taipei, Taiwan, adjusted for the specific expertise required for advanced prototyping and emerging technologies. Benefits are standard for a large tech company like Amazon and are tailored to attract and retain top technical talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cloud Computing / Information Technology / E-commerce. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and services, powering innovation for businesses worldwide. Company Size: Amazon is a multinational technology company with over 1.5 million employees globally, indicating a large, resource-rich environment with extensive opportunities for collaboration and growth. Founded: 1994. Amazon's long history and continuous innovation provide a stable yet dynamic environment where new ideas are encouraged, and technological advancement is a core tenet.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the AWS Taiwan Solutions Architect team, which is a key component of AWS Global Sales.
• This team likely operates with a matrixed structure, collaborating closely with Account Managers, Technical Account Managers, and broader sales and engineering organizations within AWS.
• Collaboration with customers and partners is a primary function, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Methodology:

• Customer-first approach: Deeply understanding customer challenges to craft tailored solutions.
• Innovation and experimentation: Fundamental to the company's mission, encouraging builders and creators.
• Data-driven decision-making: Utilizing analytics to inform strategies and measure outcomes.
• Agile development and prototyping: Rapid iteration and building functional solutions to demonstrate value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Amazon's culture is characterized by its "Day 1" philosophy, emphasizing a startup-like mentality focused on customer obsession, innovation, operational excellence, and long-term thinking. For an operations-minded professional, this translates to an environment where efficiency, scalability, and measurable impact are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Senior level position, likely requiring 5-10 years of relevant experience. It's positioned as a hands-on technical contributor with a significant impact on customer success and AWS adoption. The role demands both deep technical expertise and strong communication skills to influence customer decisions.

Reporting Structure: The Prototyping Solution Architect will likely report to a Manager within the AWS Taiwan Solutions Architect organization, potentially the Head of Solutions Architecture for Taiwan or a regional lead. They will work closely with various field teams, including Account Managers and Technical Account Managers, who manage customer relationships.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts AWS service adoption and customer success by accelerating their journey to the cloud and helping them leverage new technologies. By building functional prototypes, this role de-risks technology adoption for customers and demonstrates the tangible benefits of AWS services, thereby driving revenue and market share for AWS in Taiwan.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific emerging technologies like Generative AI, Machine Learning, or Serverless computing through AWS certifications and project experience.
• Architectural Leadership: Progress to more senior Solutions Architect roles, focusing on complex enterprise-wide solutions or specialized industry verticals.
• Management Track: Move into leadership positions, managing teams of Solutions Architects or technical specialists.
• Product Development: Transition into roles focused on product management or engineering for AWS services based on insights gained from customer interactions.
• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on global projects or relocate to other AWS regions due to Amazon's vast international presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role is strongly aligned with technical expertise and customer engagement. Success in prototyping and demonstrating value can lead to increased responsibility, specialization in high-demand technologies, and leadership opportunities within the AWS ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office environment typical of large technology companies. Amazon offices are generally designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and productivity.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Taipei City, Taiwan. Amazon has a significant presence in major tech hubs, and its Taipei office would likely be equipped with modern amenities, collaborative workspaces, and access to advanced technology infrastructure.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office will likely feature a mix of individual workspaces, meeting rooms, and open collaboration areas to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming.
• Technology Access: Employees will have access to high-performance computing resources, development tools, and the full suite of AWS services to support their work.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with peers, managers, and other AWS teams will be abundant, fostering knowledge sharing and a strong sense of community.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, the nature of client-facing technology roles often requires flexibility to accommodate customer needs, project deadlines, and global team collaborations, which might involve occasional work outside of typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and the benefits of a dedicated, structured work environment. For operations professionals, this often means access to necessary tools, a stable network, and direct interaction with teams that can expedite problem-solving and knowledge transfer.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Technical Interviews: Multiple rounds of technical interviews focusing on cloud architecture, system design, programming skills, and problem-solving using AWS services. Expect whiteboarding sessions and scenario-based questions.
• Prototyping/Coding Challenge: You may be asked to complete a coding exercise or a take-home assignment to demonstrate your practical building skills and approach to prototyping.
• Behavioral Interviews: Questions designed to assess your alignment with Amazon's Leadership Principles, including customer obsession, ownership, bias for action, and invent and simplify.
• Final Round: A panel interview or a meeting with senior leadership to discuss your experience, strategic thinking, and overall fit for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your prototyping, architectural, and problem-solving skills, particularly those involving cloud technologies and emerging areas like AI/ML.
• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, the solution you designed and built, the technologies used (especially AWS services), and the tangible business outcomes or value delivered. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved performance by X%, reduced costs by Y%).
• Demonstrate Process: Explain your development process, including how you approached requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and iteration. Highlight your ability to adapt and learn quickly.
• Code Clarity: If sharing code repositories, ensure the code is clean, well-commented, and follows best practices. Provide clear README files explaining the project and how to run it.
• Presentation Skills: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio items concisely and confidently, highlighting your contributions and technical decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• AWS Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge of core AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, VPC, IAM, etc.) and their use cases.
• System Design: Practice designing scalable, resilient, and cost-effective cloud architectures. Consider common patterns and anti-patterns.
• Coding Proficiency: Brush up on your chosen programming language(s) and common data structures and algorithms.
• Emerging Tech: Understand the fundamentals and potential applications of Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Serverless computing.
• Leadership Principles: Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate Amazon's Leadership Principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Emphasis on the portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to showcase practical skills and the ability to translate concepts into working solutions, which is a key aspect of operationalizing new technologies and driving GTM success for AWS.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AWS Services: Extensive use of various AWS services including compute (EC2, Lambda), storage (S3, EBS), databases (RDS, DynamoDB), networking (VPC, Route 53), AI/ML services (SageMaker, Bedrock, Rekognition), serverless orchestration (Step Functions), and identity management (IAM).
• Programming Languages: Python, Node.js, C#, C++, Ruby for developing prototypes and backend logic.
• Containerization & Orchestration: Docker for containerizing applications; Kubernetes (EKS) or similar for orchestration may be used for deployment.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): AWS CloudFormation or Terraform for provisioning and managing cloud resources programmatically.

Analytics & Reporting:

• CloudWatch: For monitoring AWS resources and applications, collecting logs, and setting alarms.
• AWS Cost Explorer: For analyzing AWS spending and optimizing costs.
• Third-party Analytics Tools: Potentially tools like Tableau, Power BI, or custom dashboards for visualizing prototype performance and impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce (or similar CRM): Used by Field Teams for customer engagement tracking, which the Solutions Architect will interact with indirectly.
• Automation Tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, AWS CodePipeline for CI/CD and automating build/deployment processes for prototypes.
• Version Control: Git, primarily hosted on platforms like GitHub or AWS CodeCommit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily AWS-centric. Proficiency across a broad range of AWS services, particularly those related to compute, data, AI/ML, and serverless, is essential. Experience with IaC and CI/CD tools is also highly valued for efficient prototype development and deployment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: The primary driver. Understanding and solving customer problems is paramount, influencing all technical decisions and prototype development.
• Invent and Simplify: A core Amazon principle that encourages creating novel solutions and making complex processes simple and efficient through prototyping.
• Bias for Action: Taking initiative to build, test, and iterate quickly, rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Prototypes are a manifestation of this value.
• Ownership: Taking responsibility for the success of prototypes and customer engagements, from concept to demonstration.
• Deliver Results: Focusing on building functional prototypes that deliver tangible value and accelerate customer adoption of AWS services.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with sales (Account Managers), technical account management, and other Solutions Architects to ensure a unified approach to customer engagement.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture of sharing learnings, best practices, and code snippets through internal channels, team meetings, and documentation.
• Feedback Loops: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on prototypes, designs, and approaches to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is deeply ingrained with Amazon's Leadership Principles. For operations professionals, this means an environment that values practical execution, customer focus, and continuous improvement through rapid iteration and feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with the fast-moving landscape of AI, ML, and cloud services requires continuous learning and adaptation.
• Diverse Customer Needs: Addressing a wide range of customer challenges across different industries and technical maturity levels.
• Balancing Innovation and Practicality: Creating cutting-edge prototypes while ensuring they are feasible, scalable, and align with customer operational realities.
• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the business value and potential return on investment of innovative prototypes to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AWS Certifications: Pursuing advanced AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty).
• Training Programs: Access to internal AWS training, workshops, and partner-led sessions on new technologies and services.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend and present at major tech conferences like AWS re:Invent.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced architects and leaders within the AWS ecosystem.
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects: Working with customers on the forefront of cloud adoption and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is staying ahead of technological curves and effectively translating complex, emerging tech into practical, demonstrable solutions for diverse customers. Growth opportunities are heavily skewed towards deepening technical expertise and gaining exposure to high-impact projects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Prototyping Approach: "Describe your process for building a functional prototype from initial concept to demonstration. How do you ensure it addresses the core customer need?" (Focus on iterative development, MVP definition, and user feedback loops.)
• Cloud Architecture Design: "Walk us through designing a scalable and resilient architecture for a [specific use case, e.g., real-time data processing, generative AI application] on AWS." (Emphasize service selection, trade-offs, security, and cost considerations.)
• Problem Solving & Debugging: "You encounter an unexpected issue with a prototype you've built. How do you approach diagnosing and resolving the problem?" (Highlight systematic troubleshooting, use of monitoring tools like CloudWatch, and root cause analysis.)
• Customer Engagement: "How do you effectively communicate complex technical concepts and the value proposition of a prototype to both technical and non-technical customer stakeholders?" (Focus on tailoring communication, using analogies, and demonstrating business impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Leadership Principles: "Tell me about a time you had to invent and simplify a solution to a complex problem." or "Describe a situation where you took ownership of a project and drove it to completion." (Prepare STAR method examples that align with Amazon's Leadership Principles.)
• Teamwork & Collaboration: "How do you collaborate with sales teams and account managers to achieve customer goals?" (Emphasize communication, shared objectives, and supporting GTM strategies.)
• Learning & Adaptability: "How do you stay current with new technologies, especially in areas like AI and Machine Learning?" (Showcase proactive learning habits, experimentation, and passion for technology.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each portfolio piece as a narrative: the problem, your solution (the prototype), the technologies you leveraged (especially AWS), and the impact or outcome.
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to dive deep into the technical details of your prototypes, explaining architectural choices, code implementation, and challenges overcome.
• Interactive Demo (if applicable): If possible, prepare a brief, live demonstration of a key feature or functionality of your prototype.
• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time by being concise and focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work. Practice your pitch.
• AWS Focus: Explicitly highlight how you utilized AWS services and followed best practices for cloud architecture and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of strong technical skills, a proactive and customer-centric mindset, and alignment with Amazon's unique culture. Demonstrating practical building ability through your portfolio and articulating your problem-solving process are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Prototyping Solution Architect position:

• Submit your application through the official Amazon Jobs portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with AWS services, proficiency in relevant programming languages (Python, Node.js, etc.), and any experience with AI/ML, Generative AI, or serverless technologies. Quantify achievements wherever possible, focusing on impact and outcomes.
• Portfolio Preparation: Select 3-4 of your most relevant projects that showcase your prototyping, system design, and cloud architecture skills. Prepare to discuss them in detail, focusing on the problem, solution, technologies used (especially AWS), and business impact. Ensure code repositories are clean and well-documented.
• Interview Practice: Study Amazon's Leadership Principles and prepare specific examples using the STAR method. Practice technical questions related to AWS services, system design, and your chosen programming languages.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Amazon's culture, its approach to innovation, and the specific goals of the AWS Global Sales team in Taiwan. Understand how your role contributes to customer success and AWS adoption.