Why I work here - Software Development Manager Amazon Employee Review

5.0
Mar 4, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I have worked for Amazon for over 4 years now and there are reasons that i have been here that long without getting a thought of leaving even once. 1) In the first year itself i was awed by the shear intelligence of folks around. Due to the high bar of hiring, Amazon tends to hire smartest workforce and that's why i have always had learning opportunities from 360 degrees. There are people who are much junior to you and yet are smart and there are folks above you who you can learn from. Which is unique to all other employers i have had. 2) As my journey continues with Amazon i started loving the fact that promotions and raises are tightly tied to performance. Promotions are a rigorous process but if you are a good performer then all falls in place for you. Politics does not play in, the processes and mechanisms in place ensure that the deserving folks get to the next level. The icing on the cake in there in no time in role requirement to get to next level. If you can perform at next level, you will get there. 3) Last and most important reason that i have started appreciating in last couple of years is that the yearly planning process in bottoms up. I most companies the goals are decided up top and then they flow down. Not true here ! At Amazon, each teach team decides its own fates and proposes what great things it will do next year and then that planning process flows upwards. Which gives tech teams autonomy to do stuff which makes it super unique.

Cons

The first year at Amazon can be difficult sometimes. Mostly with the fact that it has a unique culture of rigor as well as people being brutally honest. If you put together a poor quality doc (no presentations at amazon) for a review, you will be told that in the meeting. If you cant deal with it (which is difficult at start) then you will have issues. The best way to deal with this is to first get a mentor who can help you see through these situations. Next try to imbibe the Amazon leadership principles, they are amazing and if you see things through the lens of these principles then you will understand why people behave in the way they do.

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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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