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Ensure you get what you are promised

Software Development Engineer (SDE III)
Former Employee
Worked at Amazon for 2 years
March 30, 2022
3.0
Doesn't RecommendPositive OutlookNo CEO Opinion
Pros

Good pay, independence in your day-to-day, and top hardware for your work.

Cons

The main issue is that management is clueless, changes frequently, and lacks technical expertise. For sure, the job is stressful; deadlines are tight, and pressure will hit you, but the main issue is the lack of clear directions. As a consequence, you'll be in firefighting mode every day of your life at Amazon.

Amazon is a place where you can find multiple opportunities to play with cool tech, but chances are that, independently of your previous expertise, you will be dragged to do unrelated work. Since you are a senior, you are expected to adapt quickly, but given the amount of pressure and the fact you are continuously evaluated, you'd better work on an area where your expertise is valued.

Expect lots of meetings via Chime (their Skype). In these meetings, you'll see people attending with their cameras and mics disabled and without anything relevant to say.

My advice: Be vigilant and very specific with your questions during the interviews. There is such a pressure to hire engineers that your manager may not be very objective about your day-to-day in the company. Ensure you get what you are promised.

Additional Ratings

Work/Life Balance
1.0
Culture and Values
3.0
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
4.0
Career Opportunities
3.0
Compensation and Benefits
5.0
Senior Management
3.0

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