Director, Specialist Solutions Architecture - North America

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the pioneer and recognized leader in cloud computing. As enterprises accelerate their adoption of generative AI, agentic AI, advanced data and analytics, and large-scale migration and modernization programs, the role of deep technical specialists has never been more critical. AWS customers rely on specialist Solutions Architects who combine authoritative domain expertise with the ability to design and deliver transformative solutions at scale.AWS is seeking an experienced, visionary technical leader to lead, grow, and inspire a large team of specialist Solutions Architects across North America. This leader will build and operate a "Domain-First, Division-Enabled" organization that cultivates world-class depth in AI/ML, generative AI, data and analytics, security, networking, compute, storage, migration, and modernization. They will attract and retain the industry's best domain experts by creating an environment where deep technical mastery is valued, career paths reward specialization, and teams are empowered to drive customer outcomes at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and business transformation. Working closely with AWS service teams, field sales, and cross-functional partners, this leader will ensure customers have access to the right specialist expertise to build, migrate, modernize, and operate mission-critical workloads on AWS.This is a leader-of-leaders role responsible for a multi-layered organization spanning the North America geography. The successful candidate will be technically credible in their own right, with particular depth in AI, data, or cloud infrastructure domains, while being highly effective at building an organization that is a magnet for top specialist talent. The role requires strong partnership across AWS, including service teams, specialist and field sales, marketing, business development, professional services, and training, as well as the ability to represent the specialist SA vision and priorities to senior AWS leadership.Responsibilities Lead, coach, and grow a large, geographically distributed team of specialist Solutions Architects and SA managers across North America, building an organization recognized as the premier destination for deep domain experts in AI/ML, generative AI, data and analytics, migration, modernization, security, networking, and compute. Define and execute the NAMER specialist solutions strategy aligned to a "Domain-First, Division-Enabled" operating model, ensuring deep domain expertise is the foundation, while enabling cross-domain collaboration and scale through shared mechanisms, tooling, and operational excellence. Attract, hire, develop, and retain world-class specialist talent by establishing compelling career paths that reward deep domain mastery, creating an environment of continuous learning, and building a leadership bench that represents the best in their respective technical fields. Drive customer adoption of AI, generative AI, and agentic AI solutions by ensuring specialist SAs can guide customers from ideation through production, covering model selection, data strategy, responsible AI, and enterprise-scale deployment patterns. Accelerate large-scale migration and modernization programs by equipping specialist teams with the frameworks, methodologies, and deep infrastructure expertise to help customers exit data centers, modernize legacy workloads, and re-platform on AWS at pace. Establish the technical and customer-engagement bar for the region; champion a culture where specialist SAs produce high-value intellectual property, including reference architectures, patterns, proof-of-concept assets, and best-practice guidance, that differentiates AWS in the market. Partner across AWS service, sales, marketing, business development, professional services, and partner teams to ensure the specialist SA organization is deeply connected to product roadmaps, customer signals, and go-to-market priorities.Key job responsibilities Assess the NAMER Specialist SA organization's talent, structure, and domain coverage; identify gaps in critical growth areas (generative AI, agentic AI, data/analytics, migration, modernization); and establish a plan to build depth and density in these domains while earning trust with the team and cross-functional partners. Implement a talent strategy that positions the organization as the employer of choice for elite domain experts, strengthening hiring pipelines in AI/ML, data engineering, security, and infrastructure; creating retention mechanisms anchored in technical growth and impact; and raising the consistency of the customer engagement bar. Build a durable, high-performing, domain-first organization with strong succession depth that consistently helps NAMER customers adopt AI, modernize infrastructure, and migrate workloads to AWS at scale, delivering measurable business results and establishing AWS as the innovation partner of record.Basic qualifications Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent relevant technical experience. Leadership experience in a deep technical, customer-facing role in the technology industry, with demonstrated expertise in one or more of: AI/ML, generative AI, data and analytics, cloud infrastructure, migration, or modernization. People-management experience, including managing and developing other managers (leader of leaders) in specialist or domain-expert organizations. Proven ability to attract and retain top technical talent, and to build organizations where domain depth is valued and specialists thrive.Preferred qualification 12+ years of technical design, implementation, or consulting experience with emphasis on AI/ML, data platforms, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise modernization. 7+ years leading teams, ideally as a leader of leaders in specialist or domain-focused technical organizations. Experience leading large, geographically distributed teams of deep domain experts across multiple technology areas. Prior experience as a Solutions Architect, principal engineer, or similar deep technical practitioner, and managing teams of specialists. Professional experience architecting or operating AI/ML, data and analytics, or large-scale migration solutions on AWS; relevant AWS certifications (specialty or professional level). MBA or a technical master's/PhD degree in computer science, AI/ML, data science, or related field. Demonstrated track record building organizations that attract top-tier domain talent from industry, research, or competitive technology companies. Experience leading large-scale migration and modernization programs (data center exits, mainframe modernization, VMware migrations, application re-platforming). Track record of building rapport with senior customer executives (CEO, CIO, CTO, CDO, CAIO), with strong presentation skills and the ability to translate deep technical concepts into business value. Strong verbal and written communication skills, and a proven ability to deliver results in a matrixed, fast-moving organization where AI and data are reshaping customer priorities.Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at .USA, WA, Seattle - 241,200.00 - 326,400.00 USD annually