Taro Logo

Day 2, as if it wasn't already obvious

Software Development Engineer (SDE) III
Former Employee
Worked at Amazon for 9 years
February 28, 2025
San Francisco, California
2.0
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

When I was SDE I/II (a while ago), I found that as an engineer, you have control over your career. You were rewarded for taking on hard problems, which is a great culture for smart people and self-starters. This is still present.

Cons

Leadership principles used to be seen as both corny and as a great set of values at work, so people used them. Now they are just openly mocked by all, including management. The two added in 2021 do not fit with the rest.

Culture was diluted during mass hiring in 2020-21 and took a nosedive after Jassy and layoffs. I stopped recognizing the company in 2024. Management is spineless and not incentivized to show LPs.

Also, it's exhausting being the only person who takes ownership. As an org grows more political, fewer and fewer people want to take responsibility for anything.

Advice to Management

Figure out a way to incentivize managers to actually create value rather than make it look like they do. Good luck!

Was this helpful?

Amazon Interview Experiences