Good for average developer - SDE2 Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Mar 17, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Comfy place for average developers

Cons

If you are good they will still offer you an SDE2 position, and it will be impossible to step up in less then 3 years. Be prepared for this, because internal promotions has a headcount, and no matter how good you are you wont be able to contribute as much as the ones that are there for years. (because you have to learn a lot of legacy code and systems first) Just imagine in a 300 dev org, only 3 people can be promoted per quarter, so even if you are in the top 10% right in your first day, you have to wait years till it will be your turn. Also nothing matters that happened before the hire date you have to prove yourself there (just to slow down any promotion). Because of this as well there are a lot of politics for SDMs. Frugality is insane, you have to fight for even a $20/month ec2 instance, and waste so many time on creating docs for it. Forget effectiveness, you have to at least 3 times review your CR as people taste are different. You have to argue for every permissions etc. In a startup i can get a monthly work done in 3 days and not for continuously ping people to review my cr or give me permission for something. (Again this environment ideal for average people who wouldn't be effective anyway) I can only hope i can stand it until i get my Permanent Residency.

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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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