Amazon

If you are interested in moving ahead, particularly as an Engineer, it is all in your hands. If you are smart, work hard, and put in extra time, you're almost guaranteed to move ahead quickly. Politics don't come into play nearly as much as results.

Amazon is not the kind of place where you would pick a job and work there for 20 years.

Amazon expects people to switch jobs every 2-3 years or so, work extra hours, and push hard.

If you're happy with just doing your job, the 9-to-5 thing, it will not generally work too well.

Amazon is a good place to work hard for 5-8 years and then hop into any position you want somewhere else, or work hard for 10-15 years and retire.

The benefits package isn't all that impressive compared to other companies, but they focus rewards on the financial side rather than benefits or time off.

Senior management is highly respected for the most part. Focusing on benefits, or the perception of benefits, would always be good.