Not what I expected - Network Development Engineer II Amazon Employee Review

5.0
Oct 11, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Before joining Amazon, all my friends told me not to join and that it would be a horrible working environment. While this might be true for some people, it has not been my experience at all. The team I joined has been respectful of my time and were able to earn trust and make me feel welcomed. In the past 3 months, I've learned more than in the past year at my last employer. I am surrounded by exceptional, knowledgeable, driven and hard working colleagues which makes me want to better myself. The diversity of talent and cross-pollination of skill-set between individuals makes Amazon unrivaled for personal and career growth. Beyond self development, Amazon is a great place to work on challenging, unique and large scale projects. Without a doubt, this environment is perfect for personalities who love to innovate and have an entrepreneurial mindset.

Cons

It can be quite easy to get overloaded with work. Most people I've met at Amazon love to take ownership and have a bias for action. Unfortunately, this can mean that you will end up in situations where you need to work extra hours to complete your project and deliver results. Some of the benefits at Amazon are more frugal than at some of the other top tech firms. Finally, most teams have an aggressive on call rotation which means that often you are randomized and this reduces the time you can spend on projects.

Explore other reviews about Amazon

5.0
Jan 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working as a Data Center Engineering Operations (DCEO) technician at AWS has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Every day, I know that my work directly supports the infrastructure that powers services used by millions of customers worldwide—from Netflix streaming to NASA processing Mars rover images. What makes this role special is the sense of ownership and responsibility. DCEO technicians are truly the heartbeat of the data center, maintaining the critical power, cooling, and life safety systems that keep AWS running at 99.999% uptime. The mission is clear: be stealthy in action and swift in recovery, solving problems before they impact customers. The technical challenges keep the work engaging. Whether I'm monitoring building management systems, responding to alarms, managing preventative maintenance programs, or coordinating with vendors, there's always something new to learn. The role demands both hands-on technical skills and critical thinking, which makes every shift dynamic and rewarding. AWS invests heavily in training and development. The comprehensive onboarding process, detailed standard operating procedures, and access to subject matter experts across Field Engineering and other support teams ensure you're never alone in solving complex problems. The emphasis on safety is genuine—leadership truly prioritizes that everyone goes home in the same condition they arrived. Working alongside dedicated teams like DCO, Infrastructure Delivery, and Logistics creates a collaborative environment where everyone understands how their role contributes to the bigger picture. The 24/7 nature of the work means building strong relationships with your shift team, and there's real camaraderie in knowing you're all working toward the same critical mission. For anyone who enjoys hands-on technical work, values operational excellence, and wants to be part of maintaining world-class infrastructure at global scale, DCEO at AWS offers a challenging and meaningful career path.

Cons

Time constraints, and demands can be overwhelming.

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.

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