Don't work here if you came from a startup environment - Software Engineer II Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Nov 1, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Smart co-workers. Having Amazon on your resume can enhance your career opportunities.

Cons

From engineer to senior managers, even PM, none of them care much about UI/UX, quoting from the management "I don't care about how the product will look like, just make it work first, we can worry about UI later", speaking of "working backward" that company often encourage, in Amazon way is to write a 10+ page of design document, spend 10 hours of reviewing it, rewrite your document several times because your manager doesn't like the introduction paragraph, then later at some point someone says "The navigation flow is not clear to me". The attrition rate is ridiculous, the people who did the welcome lunch for you most probably won't be the same ones doing the farewell lunch, 50% of people leave within the first year, 80% within the second, from my experience I'd say it's more than that. Instead of real engineering work, if you prefer to spend most of your time writing emails, doing operational work and playing corporate games to get the promotion then Amazon is probably for you. Oh, and good luck to stick with the same manager that can vouch for your promotion, either you changed the team or they change the manager for you.

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5.0
Dec 18, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazon pushes you to always be thinking bigger, improving your processes, and becoming more agile

Cons

Not for the faint of heart looking for a company where you can coast or fly under the radar

5.0
Jan 10, 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.

3159
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