Vivek Tiwari, a seasoned technologist with a solid foundation in computer science, has built an impressive career that spans multiple domains, from cloud infrastructure to artificial intelligence for social good. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science, Vivek’s journey is one of continuous learning, leadership, and a relentless drive to solve real-world problems. From his early projects like a Library Management system in college to his work at top-tier companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Airbnb, Vivek has always been driven by a deep curiosity for how technology can enhance lives and create lasting impact.
Vivek Tiwari
A Passion for Technology and Innovation
Vivek’s passion for technology started early. As a child, his fascination with computers led him to self-teach basic programming, sparking the beginning of what would become a lifelong pursuit of technological innovation. This early curiosity eventually drove him to pursue formal education in computer science, where he further explored how technology can be applied to solve complex challenges.
One of his key projects during his undergraduate studies was developing a digital Library Management system, which replaced traditional paper-based processes with a more efficient, user-friendly digital solution. This experience opened his eyes to the transformative power of technology and set the stage for his future endeavors.
While pursuing his master’s degree, Vivek joined the Teamcore Research Lab at the University of Southern California. There, he collaborated on impactful projects like preventing animal poaching and promoting HIV protection among homeless youth, applying algorithms and machine learning to address real-world problems. This experience of working on socially impactful projects further fueled his passion for using technology as a tool for positive change.
Leadership Through Uncertainty: Navigating Complex Projects
Vivek’s career took off when he joined Amazon, where he worked on Quicksight, designing features such as anomaly detection and forecasting. Later, at Microsoft, Vivek took on even more responsibility, leading the Azure Arc Connectivity Team as the technical lead. Here, he oversaw the development of critical features like SSH remoting and Windows Admin Center for Arc-enabled servers, all while ensuring service availability and team productivity.
One of the most notable challenges in Vivek’s career came when organizational changes left his team without an engineering manager. During this period, Vivek stepped up, balancing project management and technical leadership to ensure the team’s success. He led them through key initiatives, ensuring that project timelines were met, the team stayed motivated, and service availability was maintained. His ability to guide a team through uncertain circumstances showcased his leadership skills and his ability to manage both people and technical challenges effectively.
In another milestone project at Microsoft, Vivek was tasked with building a multi-cloud solution for Azure Arc. Despite the uncertainty of the project’s direction at the start, Vivek and his team were able to quickly prototype and deliver a working solution in just a few weeks, allowing Azure Arc to compete in the multi-cloud space—a key initiative for Microsoft’s cloud strategy.
Versatility in Experience: From AI to Cloud Infrastructure
What sets Vivek apart from others in the industry is his versatility and ability to thrive in different technical domains. At Amazon, he worked on enhancing Quicksight’s analytical capabilities through machine learning-driven features. At Microsoft, he spearheaded the development of multi-cloud solutions for Azure Arc, which allowed enterprises to manage resources across AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. Now at Airbnb, Vivek is focused on building secure authentication services as part of the Identity and Security team.
This breadth of experience, combined with his ability to solve complex problems in a wide range of technical fields, gives Vivek a unique perspective. He not only understands the deep technical nuances required to innovate but also has the leadership skills to drive teams to success, even in the most challenging of environments.
Mentorship and Long-Term Vision
Looking forward, Vivek sees himself continuing to push the boundaries at the intersection of technology and leadership. He aims to deepen his expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, decentralized systems, and cloud security. But beyond his technical ambitions, Vivek is passionate about giving back to the tech community through mentorship. He has a strong desire to empower the next generation of engineers, sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained from working at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Airbnb.
In the long term, Vivek aspires to venture into entrepreneurship, using his technical expertise and leadership skills to build innovative products that address real-world problems, particularly in AI for social good and global security infrastructure.
A Lasting Impact on Technology
Throughout his career, Vivek has proven time and again that he is not just a technologist but a leader who can navigate complex challenges while maintaining a clear vision for the future. His journey from a curious child who loved computers to a leader in some of the world’s most influential tech companies is a testament to his passion, perseverance, and commitment to making a meaningful impact through technology.
With his unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the tech community, Vivek is well on his way to leaving a lasting impact on the industry—not just through the products he builds but through the mentorship and guidance he provides to the next generation of innovators.
