Good if you have the personality for it - Software Engineer Amazon Employee Review

1.0
14 Jul 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Profitable company. Things move fast. You can see your code changes in production in no time. Looks good on resume. Cubes have a nice view if you get a lucky seat. Some, not all, of the technology is cool.

Cons

Obsessively driven co-workers with no lives. You will be expected to work 45-50 hrs a week just to keep up. October to Dec 25 is treated as crunch time because of the holidays. Mandatory Oncall from 1 of every 4 weeks to 1 of every 8 if you are lucky. Developers are 30% tech support for their service, 40% business analyst and 30% developer. You will spend far more time learning the intricacies of shipping boxes through UPS than working on "cool" things and you will be expected to feel passionately about those boxes. Standard "lean" process speeches from senior management over and over. Priorities change at the last minute. Chaotic undirected environment with everyone competing for air time. You have to learn a thousand buggy in-house made tools You will be a cog in the machine. Squeak and you will be replaced by a new college grad. There is a reason nearly everyone there is under 30, think about it.

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5.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting work, enjoyable team, in nice city

Cons

Nothing really at the moment

5.0
10 Jan 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Really smart people, a lot of opportunity for growth, always encouraged to be innovative, think big, and create something new. Competitive salary and benefits with other major tech companies. 100% self motivating work environment. No dress code and 4 legged friends are welcome.

Cons

You have to be self motivated. NO ONE will hold your hand and tell you that you're doing a great job. If you need constant affirmations from management, this company isn't for you.

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