Amazon Employee Reviews

Salary - C | Culture - C | Management - | Coworkers - A

Pros: Challenging sometimes fun work environment Being part of a team Doing great things Great people to work with
Cons: Organization and communication can be a challenge to maneuver around Hours can become a challenge when managing a hectic schedule Having to be available for any shift in order to move up in certain positions Work expectations and policies can change and can be confusing

Work on the Leadership principles a little more. Help associates be the best version of themselves for the company, encourage and inspire change. Be forward in approach! Let it make sense.

Salary - | Culture - | Management - | Coworkers - B

Pros: Disclaimer: My opinions reflect that of an SDE in Amazon. Seems like some operational job functions are very tough. I have read through some of the other Amazon reviews and it seems to me that everyone has a very different experience! This is so true. Within the same team, you can have both workaholics and slackers coexisting and coworking together. I think I am more of the balanced type as I try to stay sane. The Amazon experience is basically the entire spectrum and it is what you make it out to be. Pros in Amazon certainly excludes great benefits, but compensation is competitive. Free food means average quality free coffee, once in a while free pizza for lunch where it is a working lunch, and free beer and finger food in special events. We get a free Orca card to take any bus in the Seattle area for free. $160 per month subsidy for office parking, which is better than nothing. Downtown monthly parking goes for about $200 per month. 401K contribution is 50% of what you put in, where you can put in max 4% of your salary. Not so great. Staff cafeteria food is average and not at all cheaper than outside food, or could be even more expensive. It is hard not to complain about the cafeteria. Vacation days are ok but note that there are no sick leaves. They count as part of your 5 personal days per year. Listing the benefits of Amazon is like listing the cons and not the pros. Work life balance seems to be ok for the most part, and seems to be individually-driven. No one will tell you that you have to come in at what time and stay till what time. I have team mates working every night and weekend, and others getting in at 10am and leaving at 5pm, all in the same team. Managers will focus on your project deliveries instead of how much time you spend working. If you work 40-hour weeks productively, you can definitely outperform someone who works 60-hour weeks but don't deliver stuff. Working less than 40 hours per week is somewhat common, but I can't say how many people are working how long. The view on work life balance is a bit skewed. All it comes down to are the managers and what they think. Projects are always never-ending but I have found that deadlines are very realistic and reasonable, without counting your nights and weekends. Getting some slack time once in a while is probably a sign of a healthy work environment. Everyone needs a break. On-call really really sucks. Basically all it comes down to is having SDEs double-duty as support operations engineers. Note that on-call does not improve the code quality of any team in any way. The on-call experience is particularly bad because you are using services from some other team, and their code is of low quality and fails for the wrong reasons. If the managers had given more time to up the quality, there would not be so many problems. Software is usually delivered with a tough deadline with code that meets the minimum quality bar and never gets improved for the next few years. The code review process does not seem to help improve the code but it really obstructs developers from making great changes as unconventional things will not pass code review in clumsy minds. Innovation and excellence are not the name of the game in Amazon. Searching through the Amazon code base is usually not going to turn up quality code that you can actually reuse. Integration is the name of the game in Amazon. You will need to spend a lot of time to figure out how to integrate your code with another team's services. Whether these other people are cooperative is a hit-or-miss. I have found that most people are responsive and helpful, but there are also quite a number of jerks who are out to make trouble for everybody. It is not easy to work across teams but the experience is mostly positive. Amazon is a huge behemoth and is hiring people like there is no tomorrow. This reflects well on a good growth momentum but also is worrying that the company is not turning much profit. If the company does not make money, where is our bonus going to come from? You can see new faces around the Amazon building almost everyday! Downside is that we are taking in a lot of average to above-average engineers and being an Amazonian SDE certainly does not share the same reputation as the top names. Amazon is a huge mixed bag of some very talented people and some very dumb people. I think the world is not turning up enough SDEs and the only way is for quality to go downhill. As an SDE, expect to spend most of your time talking, writing emails and documents, and maybe around 20-30% of your time coding. In most of the teams, you can work on interesting projects, but probably not revolutionary ones. Note that Amazon is a very down-to-earth company and the work is very down-to-earth as well. You will work on real things that people have actually requested for, and that people will start using as soon as you are done. Work is challenging but not to expect highly technically complex stuff. Most of the work has to do with solving everyday problems. To me, this seems to make sense because I have ever tried working on experimental projects before elsewhere and I did not feel it was a good use of my time. Internal mobility is a key strength of Amazon, and I am not sure which company has done better than Amazon in this aspect. Internal moves are easy. You only need to stay in your team for a year before moving to a different team. There is no easy way to tell which team is a good team to move to because they all have their different pros and cons and people and coming and leaving all the time! Seattle is by much rumour an easier place to live than the Bay area. Overall Amazon is a tough but yet sane place to work. The flexibility of this company is really its core strength. You have the freedom to excel as much as you want and also to slack as much as you want. Bummer. You shouldn't be slacking!
Cons: Beware of bad managers and horrible team mates. They are not specific to Amazon but they do exist in Amazon. I have to admit that Monday is usually a blue day at Amazon and it is very tough to look forward to getting into office. I don't know anyone in Amazon who looks forward to getting in on Mondays. Be realistic about SDE requirements. Coding skills are good to have but they are not the most important part of your job. I think we are hearing the same thing from every company. Medical coverage is average or below average. Expect to pay about $60 per month for singles and about $240 per month for families. $240 per month for families gives you $3000 in medical fees before you have to pay (more) anything out-of-pocket. SDE advancement is unreal difficult. They have about 6 levels total, SDE 1-4, then Senior Principal Engineer, and finally Distinguished Engineer. The number of SDE 1s and 2s are huge. Trying to get to SDE 3 seems to be all-of-a-sudden extremely difficult, but not impossible. So this essentially means that if you come to Amazon as a fresh grad SDE, expect to get about only one or two promotions in your entire career, which obviously is quite a lame expectation and reality. You will probably do much better in your career advancement anywhere else. Employee retention is horrible. I am not sure why the philosophy seems to be trying to undercut existing employees and then hire from external sources. Management all say that they are trying to retain people, but actions don't seem to suggest anything better. Rumour has it that annual pay raises are horrible. This basically mean that either you are a superstar in the company before they will try to retain you, or if you are smart you should not stay in Amazon for too long.

The thing about thinking long-term is getting more and more worrying as the company has not turned a tidy profit and is trying to conquer the world with its lofty expansion strategies. I don't know what kind of secret recipe management is cooking but seeing the company not making much money never feels comfortable.

Salary - B | Culture - C | Management - | Coworkers - B

Pros: Great starting pay and the ability to get raises very quickly. Full training in all areas are offered and if your willing to work hard and sweat everyday for 10 hours a day, 4 days a week, then this is the job for you. The 4 day weeks go by quick, it can be exhausting so proper rest and a healthy lifestyle will help you stay strong within this company. Beat benefits as well once you are a hired on as a full time employee.
Cons: After 3 years of working with the company you "cap out" at $15.75, meaning you can no longer make any more money than that as a tier 1 associate. Your expected to want to move up in the company and that is the only way to make a better hourly wage, by advancing into management and operations management positions if there are any openings.

Salary - C | Culture - D | Management - | Coworkers - B

Pros: - super smart people, the best of the best from schools - if you get hired here, you will be hirable anywhere, recruiting process is tough - the pay is above average, probably 1.5 times elsewhere (but the expected results are 150% of elsewhere too) - lots of opportunities to work on new, innovative projects - cool SLU campus, lots of options for food and drinks after work
Cons: - frugality is taken to the extreme, only 2 weeks vacation, parking takes a year or more to get, zero perks (not even free Prime), no fitness allowance, poor 401k - your peers will stab you in the back, your manager will blame you for their errors, you can't trust anyone - people who throw others under the bus and take credit for other people's work get promoted - expectations 60 -70 hours a week, some teams expect Sunday to be an "in the office day", headcount never gets filled, teams are always short a few people but the work keeps piling on.

The culture and reputation of amazon will never change unless you want it to and set the tone from the top. Try using some customer obsession with employees- as management, employees are YOUR customers. Making great products or margins is fine, but if you have a reputation/brand for treating people awful, then are you really a success? Also, there is visible lack of women or minorities in any leadership role compared to pretty much every other large company in Seattle. Seems like you have to try really hard in a city as diverse as this to be so undiverse.

Salary - | Culture - | Management - | Coworkers - B

Pros: Innovation and cutting-edge technology: Amazon is known for pioneering new technologies and services across e-commerce, cloud computing, AI, and more. Career growth opportunities: The company's size and diverse business units offer numerous paths for career advancement. Competitive compensation: Amazon often offers attractive salaries and benefits packages, including stock options. Learning environment: Employees have access to various learning resources and can work on challenging projects. Customer-centric culture: Amazon's focus on customer satisfaction can be fulfilling for those who value making an impact. Global reach: Working for Amazon provides exposure to global markets and diverse business challenges. Fast-paced environment: For those who thrive on rapid change and quick decision-making, Amazon's culture can be energizing.
Cons: Cons: Work-life balance challenges: Amazon is known for its demanding work culture, which can lead to long hours and high stress levels. Performance pressure: The company's emphasis on metrics and performance can create a high-pressure environment. Rapid changes: The fast-paced nature of the company can lead to frequent reorganizations and shifting priorities. Intense competition: Internal competition for promotions and resources can be fierce. Criticism over labor practices: Amazon has faced public scrutiny over working conditions, particularly in fulfillment centers. Limited work-from-home options: Depending on the role, Amazon may require more in-office presence compared to some tech competitors. Bureaucracy: Despite its innovative reputation, some employees report frustration with internal processes as the company has grown. Cultural fit: Amazon's leadership principles and work style may not suit everyone's preferences or working style. It's important to note that experiences can vary greatly depending on the specific role, team, and location within Amazon. These pros and cons are generalizations based on common feedback and public information.

Salary - C | Culture - F | Management - C | Coworkers - D

Pros: The paycheck is the only decent thing
Cons: Treated like a number more than a person..long shifts especially during peak ...labor share system is a joke says it's to prevent injury when in fact it's just an excuse to get extra labor out of employees or to force them into another department so they can be pushed out the door for rates..place is a meat grinder for employees ..turnover rate is insane and the place is full of high school college like propaganda constantly pumping how great the company is..management is clueless and only care about numbers and their own progression...

Promote from within stop hiring children fresh out of college who have never had a job or work experience for management just for tax breaks ..acknowledge your employees who go above and beyond rate everyday ...we dont need more amazon gear or tickets for raffles that we may or never get only to pay taxes out of our paychecks for if you do win something for doing your job...if vto is available offer it to the ones who break there backs going over rate everyday instead of blacklisting them to pad your numbers ...a simple hey good job today goes along way..And finally management should have to work too ...theres no reason why half the buliding should be able to be whipped around and rotated every few hours or periods while management walks around babysitting laptops or holding up desks ...would love to see yall break a sweat and actually do something ..there should be no reason why a regular employee can blow managers and PA's rates outta the water..if you run that dept. you should at least be better at your job then a tier 1 employee..

Salary - A | Culture - B | Management - A | Coworkers - A

Pros: Amazon offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment with a highly talented workforce. It’s a great place to learn, collaborate, and partner with some of the best professionals in the industry. The company is continuously inventing and evolving, providing ample opportunities to stay ahead by learning cutting-edge technologies and best practices. Career growth is strongly supported, making Amazon an ideal place for those eager to build new skills and advance professionally.
Cons: Amazon’s intense focus on customer obsession can sometimes overshadow associate satisfaction. While this drives innovation, competitive advantage, and long-term shareholder value (which employees benefit from), it also creates a highly dynamic and demanding work environment. Success here requires adaptability, resilience, and a readiness to embrace change. Amazon is best suited for individuals seeking continuous growth and professional development rather than a static, long-term comfort zone. Be prepared to navigate challenges while seizing opportunities to learn and excel.

Continue fostering innovation and customer obsession, as these are key drivers of Amazon's success. However, balancing this with greater emphasis on employee well-being could further enhance productivity and long-term retention. Consider creating more structured avenues for career development, mentorship, and recognition to ensure employees feel valued and supported. A stronger focus on work-life balance initiatives could help sustain the high-performance culture while boosting overall job satisfaction.

Salary - B | Culture - D | Management - A | Coworkers - A

Pros: Good money with yearly raises! You make your Schedule No hassle if you cannot work Friendly Management Career Advancement Unlimited Transfer Opportunities Prizes galore! It's HARD to get "fired" from this job. Not repetitive, you can work a different role every day This is the future of "work force" in the modern work world where the "gig economy" is not only an excellent asset to earn extra income but also a necessity to offset the lack of stable career opportunities.
Cons: Getting immediate hours can be a hassle High turnover because they hire anyone but the job is so hard many quit! Short shifts are not always travel-friendly No guaranteed role, you may have to do a job you do not like occasionally. Depending on who you work with, it can be even harder than it already is because of the lack of work ethic from co-workers and little to no accountability due to management's limited discipline capabilities

Most of the managers are amazing, fun and great to work with! Chad has done a great job at building a team to help facilitate great results. Go WMI1! Advocate for more control in disciplinary actions so that off task employees can be reprimanded or have some form of consequence for not working or working poorly. Ask for more control on what employees can do so you can better position them for success. Ask for more control on what employees can work if needed and when they are allowed to pick up hours.

Salary - B | Culture - C | Management - B | Coworkers - C

Pros: This would be a good fit for someone who has driven delivery vehicles and is looking for work. The training was set to be three days, one in a classroom, the second a driving test, and the third a road along. So a very fast start up time even if it was ti
Cons: I asked for a couple of tips on parallel parking the delivery van, which my trainer did provide. After we spoke, he sat down. I made one pass and thought I could get more over the line, but my mirror touched a pillar, which was a fail state. As I was contacting my DSP, I saw other trainers in front of trainees' vehicles, guiding them as they lined up to park and coaching them as they made their attempts. I wasn't sure if he was doing what he was required or if the other trainers were going above and beyond to give people a better chance.

Drill into people to take some time to feel everything out then make your pass.

Salary - A | Culture - A | Management - | Coworkers - A

Pros: vibrant, fast paced culture - smart, fun, aggressive colleagues - management is focused on latest tech trends and staying or becoming a leader for many of them - by and large, customers and partners are very positive about the technology - good benefits and perqs
Cons: Worse still is the politics. When you hire a bunch of smart, aggressive people, and put them in an environment of outsized expectations, throw in a bunch of re-orgs and changing management, and sprinkle with uncertainty and constantly changing priorities, you inevitably get people back stabbing each other and throwing others under the bus to appear smarter and more worthy of promotion.