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AWS Elemental

Part of Amazon

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Sinking Ship - Software Engineer AWS Elemental Employee Review

1.0
22 Mar 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Prior to 2015 (or before Amazon) and especially prior to 2017 (or before Sam Blackman's untimely passing), this was the best place to work in Portland. Challenging work, stimulating colleagues, a leader with a passion for not only the work, but the community, an awesome culture. It had it all. Sure, we didn't get paid as much and the benefits weren't as good, but I loved coming to work everyday.

Cons

After 2015, company was sold to Amazon. Gradually, Amazon took things over. Pay and benefits increased, but perks slowly started disappearing. Many managers are now miserable and just counting down the days for RSUs to fully vest so they can cash out and do something else. A toxic environment where everyone is under intense pressure and people will throw each other under the bus to get ahead. The new office building did little to improve morale. Amazon is consolidating jobs and sending other functions up to Seattle HQ. The Elemental part of AWS Elemental will be extinct soon. If you like being lied to your face daily, backstabbed, belittled, bullied, working insane hours, managers with no clue who's in charge and who's doing what, having the ALPs shoved down your throat all the time, the looming threat of your job being consolidated or eliminated and Seattle HQ overruling all decisions, come work here. Sam's sad passing has only accelerated the sinking ship.

Explore other reviews about AWS Elemental

5.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very collaborative teams. Real passion for what they are building. Snacks!

Cons

5 day in office work. Parking fees not fully covered.

4.0
2 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Close knit teams, very talented, interesting projects, community outreach culture.

Cons

Slow promotion, unclear direction for individual improvement

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