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Amazon Web Services

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A factory for constructive dismissal - Systems Engineering Manager Amazon Web Services Employee Review

2.0
Sep 15, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

High bar for hiring means you are working with people at the top of their game. Great environment for people who want to immerse themselves in a cult, perhaps before moving on to the Moonies or Scientology.

Cons

You will be immersed in the Leadership Principles, which will be mercilessly used against you, or members of your team who are independent thinkers, or who have competence built outside of Amazon. Amazon frequently under-hire, in that they offer you a role beneath what you are capable of performing. Don't take such an offer, as you won't be able to advance quickly. It will take 2 years to demonstrate you can operate at the level you've been hired into, then you might be considered for a promotion. This can be soul destroying when you see the performance of those around you who were offered roles at a higher level. Everything in your role will revolve around what a L8 or higher in the US thinks about you and your performance. Suck up, or get out.

Explore other reviews about Amazon Web Services

5.0
Apr 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

work life balance nice place

Cons

open to location do not

3.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Unmatched Scale: You get to work on systems that handle millions of requests per second. The technical challenges are genuinely fascinating and great for your career. Smart Colleagues: You are surrounded by incredibly sharp engineers. You will learn more here in one year than in three years at most other companies.

Cons

Work-Life Balance (WLB): Highly dependent on your team, but generally poor. On-call rotations can be brutal, and there is a constant pressure to deliver more, faster. Burnout Culture: The "Day 1" mentality means things move fast, but it also leads to high turnover. The stack-ranking and PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) culture creates unnecessary anxiety.

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