Meet Alum Pratikkumar Chunawala – M.S. Electrical Engineering '14

During his undergraduate years in India, Pratikkumar Chunawala picked up a book by Professor Theodore Rappaport — an NYU Tandon School of Engineering faculty member whose pioneering research made 5G communications a possibility. In it, he didn't just find inspiration: he found his future.

That desire to innovate shaped his academic path, eventually leading him to study wireless communications directly under Rappaport and complete his master’s in Electrical Engineering in 2014. Now, more than a decade later, he works as a principal cloud architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is recognized for his leadership in large-scale cloud transformation, migration, and modernization initiatives across global enterprises. (Among only about 100 cloud professionals worldwide, he has been a recipient of the AWS Golden Jacket, an award conferred upon those who have achieved all active AWS certifications at the time of recognition.)

But the metrics that matter most to him aren't the certifications or the career milestones. They're the lives saved through the systems his work helped strengthen.

Building resilient systems

Before arriving at NYU Tandon, Pratikkumar had already proven himself, working as a junior research scientist with India's Department of Science and Technology. There, he co-managed a national pilot program dedicated to developing indigenous third-generation Software Defined Radios (SDR), creating resilient communication networks to remote areas of the country. The technology's true value was revealed during natural disasters, when communication networks become lifelines.

"Initially, it can be hard to imagine the positive downstream effects of your work," he reflects, “but you have to trust the process.” That philosophy would prove prophetic. Years later, at AWS, he led a cloud infrastructure migration that enabled Carrier, a global provider of sustainable refrigeration solutions, to accelerate its modernization strategy and strengthen its cold-chain management systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the modernized cloud infrastructure was instrumental in powering the scaled distribution of desperately needed COVID-19 vaccines.

Building a Foundation for Innovation and Mentorship

At NYU Tandon, Pratikkumar studied software-defined networking with Professor H. Jonathan Chao, focusing on data center design and sustainability, a prescient choice given the importance of energy optimization and sustainability for data centers. He was also among the first students hired at the new Center for Urban Science + Progress, where he planned events, led teams of graduate assistants, and even joined then-New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg during the inauguration.

His time at NYU opened doors well beyond the classroom. As an active alum, he continues to mentor and inspire aspiring engineers, empowering them to navigate their academic paths and early careers in technology. His industry influence and recognition led to invitations to deliver guest lectures at Carnegie Mellon University on use cases for evolving cloud technologies. He was also invited to serve on the Technology Advisory Board at the Borough of Manhattan Community College to ensure the curriculum is relevant. As a male ally in NYU Tandon's Alumnae Advisory Council, he mentors women in STEM and students from underrepresented backgrounds.

A distinguished professional rise

After graduating, Pratikkumar spent three years as a tech advisor at PwC, where he became one of the first employees with a professional AWS certification. There, he led critical projects for Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies, from global data center migrations to multi-year operating platform strategies. His work included developing disaster recovery solutions using public cloud infrastructure and creating cloud adoption models for global financial services clients. That expertise quickly caught Amazon's attention.

Starting as a cloud infrastructure architect, he rose from associate to principal architect in just over six years — a remarkably fast trajectory. Today, he builds robust cloud solutions used by major companies worldwide.

His standing is marked by his AWS Golden Jacket, which he received in person at AWS Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C. Along with 15 AWS certifications, 24 accreditations, and the AWS Academy Educator designation, his credentials speak to his commitment to continuous learning. (Additionally, as a Bar Raiser at Amazon he serves as an objective, third-party interviewer to provide an unbiased perspective in the hiring process, strengthening the company’s long-term talent foundation.)

All of his efforts and activities, he says, are aimed at service: to his alma mater, his company, the engineering profession, and society at large.

Engineering Impact That Endures

From software-defined radios enabling disaster management communications in India to cloud infrastructure supporting vaccine distribution during a global pandemic, Pratikkumar's career illustrates how leadership in technical excellence combined with community-minded thinking creates ripples that transcend industries, geographies, and generations.

Looking back at his path thus far, he is clear about one thing: "NYU Tandon gave me a strong foundation, and I wouldn't be where I am without it."

For students wondering whether to pursue a particular opportunity or take a chance on an unfamiliar trajectory, he offers a powerful lesson. Sometimes the work you do today can make a powerful impact tomorrow.

Fun fact: Pratikkumar Chunawala’s brother, Harshvardhan, a fellow Amazonian and technologist, was also awarded the Golden Jacket at the 2025 AWS Summit, making them the first siblings ever to earn the coveted laurel and earning them a nickname within their professional circles: the Golden Brothers of AWS.