How To Become an AWS Engineer: Step-by-Step Guide

AWS engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. They work with a variety of AWS products and services to ensure that customer needs are met and that the AWS platform is running smoothly. If you’re interested in becoming an AWS engineer, it’s important to know the steps you need to take to pursue this career path. In this article, we’ll discuss what an AWS engineer does, the skills you need to succeed in this role and the steps you need to take to become an AWS engineer.

What Does an AWS Engineer Do?

AWS engineers are responsible for designing, building and maintaining the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. They work with other engineers and developers to create scalable and stable systems that can support the ever-changing needs of businesses. AWS engineers typically have the following duties:

• Designing and implementing AWS solutions that meet business requirements
• Automating the provisioning and management of AWS resources
• Monitoring the performance of AWS systems and identifying potential issues
• Troubleshooting AWS problems and providing resolutions
• Working with other teams to ensure smooth integration of AWS solutions
• Creating and maintaining AWS documentation
• Updating AWS solutions to keep up with changes in business requirements
• Optimizing AWS costs by monitoring usage and investigating cost-saving opportunities

AWS Engineer Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for an AWS engineer is $103,000. However, salaries can vary based on experience, location, and other factors.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for AWS engineers will grow faster than average over the next decade. This is due to the increasing popularity of cloud computing. As more companies move their data and applications to the cloud, they will need the expertise of AWS engineers to help with the transition.

How to Become an AWS Engineer

Here are several steps you should take to become an AWS engineer.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

AWS engineers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or a related field. Some schools offer specialized programs that teach you how to use AWS and other cloud computing tools.

If your school doesn’t have such a program, consider taking courses in networking, security, databases and software development to prepare for this role. You may also want to take elective courses in subjects like artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics to be better prepared for the future.

2. Gain experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS is a fast-paced environment where engineers are constantly developing new products and features. To get hired as an AWS engineer, you need to have hands-on experience with the platform. Consider getting an internship or job at a company that uses AWS for its technology infrastructure. You can also set up your own AWS account and try out different services to learn more about how they work.

Another way to gain experience with AWS is to build applications on top of it. For example, you could develop a website using Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) servers and other AWS tools. This will help you understand how AWS works from a developer’s perspective.

3. Get certified as an AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Developer

AWS offers several certifications for engineers to earn. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is the highest level of certification offered by AWS and requires candidates to have at least three years of experience in systems design, development or implementation. Candidates must also pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of designing scalable, secure and cost-effective solutions on AWS.

The AWS Certified Developer certification is another option for those looking to become an AWS engineer. This certification focuses more on coding skills than other AWS certifications and requires candidates to have at least one year of experience in software development. To earn this certification, candidates must take an exam that covers topics such as security, testing and deployment.

4. Develop strong communication skills

AWS engineers work in teams and often collaborate with other professionals. Communication skills are important for working as part of a team, whether you’re communicating technical details to your teammates or explaining the results of an analysis to a non-technical client.

You may also need to communicate technical information to clients who aren’t familiar with technology. Strong communication skills can help ensure that everyone understands what’s happening and why it’s happening that way.

5. Understand the basics of networking and security

AWS engineers work with large amounts of data, so it’s important to understand how networks and security systems function. AWS uses virtual private clouds (VPCs) to create isolated sections of the internet where their clients’ data can be stored. This requires a lot of networking knowledge to set up properly.

AWS also offers security features such as IAM authentication and encryption that you need to understand in order to use them effectively. Familiarizing yourself with these concepts will help you better support your clients’ needs.

6. Stay up to date on changes in technology

Technology is constantly changing, so it’s important for AWS engineers to stay up to date on the latest developments. For example, Amazon recently announced a new service called Snowmobile that allows companies to transfer large amounts of data into and out of the AWS cloud using trucks or shipping containers. This type of information can help AWS engineers keep their skills relevant in an ever-changing industry.

7. Join professional organizations such as the Amazon Web Services User Group

The Amazon Web Services User Group is a network of professionals who use AWS in their work. You can attend meetings and conferences to learn about the latest developments with AWS, connect with other professionals and develop your career. Membership in this group also includes access to online forums where you can ask questions and get answers from experienced professionals.