Disappointed - Software Development Manager III Amazon Employee Review

2.0
Jun 21, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The stock compensation. However be aware, if you join before Jan 1, in your next review period you won't get awarded any stock grant. The initial stock grant vests in 4 years. 5% 1st year, 15% 2nd year, 40% 3rd year, 40% 4th year. Future stock grants vest in 2 years. If you are really ambitious and willing to work hard, I mean not have a life , 65+ hours weekly, pay for your own Blackberry then you will get promoted fast. That is if you don't piss anybody off. But hey if you are wiling to do the time...

Cons

This company is an insane asylum of ideas. Just have to see which one sticks... Recruiting here is awful. We try to go to UCLA/Cornell and hire engineers at a support engineer III level/software engineer I level regardless of whether they have a BS or MS. Hiring an industry SDE II or III is awfully hard since they expect individuals with 5-10 years of experience to still be able to answer college grad questions. And Amazon is all about pager duty. Many SDEs here also have an inflated sense of worth. Since we can't hire enough to barely account for attrition, SDEs here make all the rules. Compensation is actually mediocre given how much one works. Senior management is highly variable. Some are remnants of start up Amazon. If you get one of those, you are SOL since they have no managerial skills whatever. Others are good.

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5.0
Feb 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Free education, great pay, grat benefits and time off.

Cons

Fast paced, rules are always changing from day to day.

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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