Resume

Engineering leader, builder, and team grower

Jake Litwicki

Senior Manager, Software Development – AWS

jake.litwicki [at] gmail

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Resume TLDR

People-first software development leader with a passion for building and leading high performing software delivery teams. Started my career as a software engineer writing data parsers for newspapers in Chicago, then evolved into billing systems for VoIP SaaS.

Consistently gravitated towards bigger challenges and critical-path projects, transitioning full-time to engineering management around 2010. For the last 15+ years, focused on web-based SaaS and full-stack applications at companies like Nestlé, Vennli, Cyrus Bio, Fresh Consulting, and most recently at AWS.

Managed teams as small as 5 engineers as a front-line manager on critical projects, as well as large multi-disciplinary organizations of product managers, developers, engineers, and managers up to ~120 people. Most experience in a Director / Sr. Manager role leading critical projects hands-on while leading through managers on other business initiatives.

Experience

Senior Manager, Software Development

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

April 2025 – Present

Seattle, WA

  • ▸Leading AWS Amplify and a new initiative within AWS Lambda integrating Generative and Agentic AI into the end-to-end developer experience for frontend and web developers.

Head of Engineering, AWS Amplify

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

September 2019 – April 2025

Seattle, WA

  • ▸Managed end-to-end ownership of the AWS Amplify Hosting service engineering teams, overseeing P&L and operations.
  • ▸2025 – Launched Amplify Firewall; grew revenue 130% YoY. Built a skunkworks team that developed a prototype AI Agent for monitoring website builds and lighthouse scores, later spun out into the Agentic AI organization.
  • ▸2024 – Launched Amplify AI Kit (AWS Amplify Gen2): the quickest way for fullstack developers to build web apps with AI capabilities such as chat, conversational search, and summarization.
  • ▸2023/2024 – AWS Amplify Gen2: a code-first developer experience empowering frontend developers to build and deploy fullstack apps with TypeScript/JavaScript.
  • ▸2022 – Amplify Admin UI: configure backends and manage app users/content outside the AWS console.
  • ▸2021 – Launched Amplify Studio at re:Invent: a Figma-connected no-code/low-code service for building cloud-connected apps.
  • ▸Grew service from 10,500 active customers to >350,000.

VP, Engineering

Cyrus Biotechnology

July 2018 – September 2019

Seattle, WA

  • ▸Oversaw all software and scientific development (~20 engineers, ~15 scientists), ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • ▸Managed the technology roadmap with focus on operational excellence and performance management.
  • ▸Launched a new academic/non-profit business line including pricing strategies and customer success processes.
  • ▸Achieved 2x YoY revenue growth while maintaining steady user growth month over month.

Director of Engineering

Sterling Talent Solutions

December 2016 – July 2018

Bellevue, WA

  • ▸Managed multiple platform and API delivery teams of ~60 engineers, product managers, and scrum masters for the flagship Sterling Backcheck product.
  • ▸Drove modernization initiatives including containerization, serverless architecture, and DevOps culture.
  • ▸Initiated a certification program leading to many engineers becoming Certified AWS Solutions Architects.
  • ▸Hosted weekly Lunch and Learn sessions across all technology sites (New York, Bellevue, Atlanta, Europe).

Consultant

Litwicki Media

2002 – July 2018

Washington

  • ▸Full-service website and application development freelance consultancy for small-medium businesses.
  • ▸Notable projects: Charles Schwab onInvesting, Arizona K-12 School System, Blendtique (Shark Tank), Corning Museum of Glass, Rutgers Health, Leslies Pool Supplies.

Software Development Director

Fresh Consulting

November 2015 – April 2017

Bellevue, WA

  • ▸Architected and delivered enterprise-grade software applications for diverse partnerships, from startups to global brands.
  • ▸Worked with CTO and CEO to implement career path and performance management processes for all engineering roles.
  • ▸Lead architect, client contact, and engineering lead for multiple 6-7 figure contracts including Band of Hands, BenBridge Jewelers, and CBRE Realty Management.

Vice President, Technology

Vennli

January 2015 – November 2015

Greater Chicago Area

  • ▸Managed all facets of software engineering, QA, and DevOps. Championed SaaS initiatives including IBM Watson integration, customer metrics, and security compliance.
  • ▸Winner of Bronze & Silver 2015 Stevie Awards; Winner of 2015 MIRA "Tech Services" award.

Director, Software Engineering

Vennli

February 2013 – January 2015

Greater Chicago Area

  • ▸Employee #3; spearheaded development of Vennli's flagship SaaS platform as a founding member.
  • ▸Led cross-functional product and engineering team of 15 to deliver flagship SaaS product.
  • ▸Implemented all organizational development for product and engineering disciplines.

Software Engineer III

DLS Internet Services

July 2009 – January 2013

Chicago, IL

  • ▸Senior engineer for Hosted PBX SaaS product and all internal billing systems.
  • ▸Developed and maintained all billing applications, reporting, intranet tools, and Hosted PBX roadmap.

Applications Developer

Nestlé

July 2008 – July 2009

DeKalb, IL

  • ▸Lead development of PPE application from concept to delivery: an enterprise reporting system for labor management, efficiency tracking, and aggregate warehouse performance monitoring.

Affiliate Launch Developer

Legacy.com

December 2006 – March 2008

Naperville, IL

  • ▸Re-engineered affiliate launch process and improved sales-to-production time by 50% for new customers.
  • ▸Built data parsers for some of the largest newspapers in the world to run on Legacy.com and Gadzoo.com.

Skills & Expertise

Engineering LeadershipTeam ManagementTechnical ArchitectureAWSTypeScriptJavaScriptReactNext.jsNode.jsPythonPostgreSQLOpen SourceScrum / AgileRoadmap PlanningRecruiting & HiringP&L / BudgetingCAPEX / OPEXSaaSREST APIsDockerCI/CDProduct Development

Languages

English

Native or Bilingual

Spanish

Elementary

Education

Bachelor of Science – Operations & Information Management

Northern Illinois University