Toxic Cesspool - Software Development Engineer I Amazon Employee Review

1.0
23 Jan 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay and benefits are good, hours are flexible

Cons

Worked for a couple orgs. I've discovered that the higher up in the company someone is, the less connected they are to the reality of working at Amazon and where tech is heading in general. It's textbook Dunning-Kruger. They also lie about their intentions. You'll hear, "We're committed to promoting people", and then take zero time to help promote people. They'll say, "We're committed to diversity", with zero black people and 1 woman in an entire org. In a diversity training, it's just the most powerful men talking, and only 1 woman present, who they talk over. Tech wise, they'd rather go with in house closed-source garbage than open source industry standards. This is partly because having a near monopoly over so many markets removes so much motivation to be better. Engineers have zero power, so the product suffers. Eventually it gets to a point where a manager sees it as an opportunity to get promoted. So then they overhaul everything, without the slightest clue what they are doing. When it becomes apparent that that was a bad decision, they've been promoted, and the engineers have no power to fix what managers have continued to ruin. Amazon is a toxic cesspool with an insane turnover rate. Steer clear.

Explore other reviews about Amazon

5.0
24 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible time off policy Good pay No interview/qualifications Easy to transfer internally

Cons

Long shifts Work can be boring and repetitive

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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