Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for AWS Application Developer
💰 $100,000 - $160,000
🎯 Role Definition
The AWS Application Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying cloud-based applications and services on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. This role collaborates with software engineers, DevOps, architects, and product teams to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing applications. The developer ensures that applications leverage AWS services effectively, follow best practices in cloud architecture, and meet business requirements.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Cloud Developer
- Software Engineer
- Backend Developer
Advancement To:
- Senior AWS Developer
- Cloud Solutions Architect
- DevOps Lead
Lateral Moves:
- Cloud Engineer
- AWS Solutions Engineer
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Design, develop, and deploy cloud-native applications using AWS services including Lambda, EC2, S3, DynamoDB, and RDS.
- Build serverless architectures and microservices to support scalable and reliable applications.
- Develop and manage RESTful and GraphQL APIs for cloud applications.
- Implement CI/CD pipelines for AWS-based applications using tools like CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy.
- Optimize application performance and cost efficiency across AWS resources.
- Ensure security best practices are applied, including IAM policies, encryption, and compliance standards.
- Monitor application health using AWS CloudWatch, X-Ray, and other monitoring tools.
- Integrate AWS services with front-end applications, mobile apps, and third-party APIs.
- Develop automated testing frameworks for AWS-based applications.
- Troubleshoot and resolve performance, reliability, and scalability issues in cloud applications.
- Maintain infrastructure as code using CloudFormation or Terraform for deployment automation.
- Collaborate with product and design teams to translate requirements into scalable cloud solutions.
- Participate in agile development cycles including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.
- Document cloud architecture, deployment processes, and application workflows.
- Refactor and optimize existing AWS applications for improved performance and maintainability.
- Mentor junior developers on AWS services, cloud architecture patterns, and best practices.
- Research and evaluate new AWS services, tools, and frameworks for adoption.
- Implement disaster recovery and backup strategies for cloud applications.
- Collaborate with security and compliance teams to ensure cloud applications meet regulatory requirements.
- Ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and redundancy in cloud-based applications.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc cloud infrastructure and application performance analysis.
- Contribute to the organization’s cloud strategy and roadmap.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into technical solutions.
- Participate in technical workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and continuous learning initiatives.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proficient in AWS services: Lambda, EC2, S3, DynamoDB, RDS, API Gateway, CloudFormation.
- Experience in serverless application development and microservices architecture.
- Strong knowledge of programming languages: Python, Java, Node.js, or Go.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation tools in AWS.
- Familiarity with cloud security best practices, IAM, and encryption.
- Knowledge of monitoring, logging, and performance tools like CloudWatch, X-Ray.
- Experience with infrastructure as code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation).
- Understanding of RESTful and GraphQL APIs and integration with cloud services.
- Knowledge of containerization (Docker, ECS, EKS) and orchestration.
- Experience with version control systems such as Git.
Soft Skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail and quality-focused mindset.
- Team-oriented with mentoring and coaching capabilities.
- Adaptable to evolving technologies and cloud trends.
- Strategic thinking aligned with business goals.
- Creativity and innovation in designing cloud solutions.
- Time management and organizational skills.
- Customer-focused approach with emphasis on reliability and performance.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
Preferred Education:
Master’s degree or AWS-specific certifications (AWS Certified Developer, Solutions Architect).
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Computer Science / Software Engineering
- Cloud Computing / Cloud Development
- Information Technology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
3–5 years of professional software development experience, including cloud development on AWS.
Preferred:
5+ years of experience designing, deploying, and managing scalable AWS applications, with hands-on expertise in serverless and microservices architecture.