Challenging, but worth it - Senior Software Engineer Amazon Employee Review

5.0
20 Dec 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I get to work with a lot of really smart people on problems with scale and complexity that are hard to find almost anywhere else. I interview with other companies every other year or so, and they almost always are trying to solve a problem that a group at Amazon has either already solved, or is trying to solve at a larger scale, and who I can just go and join when I'm really interested in that problem.

Cons

You need to advocate for your own work/life balance. One of the impacts of Amazon's "Frugality" leadership principle is that there is always more work to do. The annual planning process, OP1, lets front-line teams and leadership prioritize what projects are important and what gets funded, but for most teams it's common to see more than half of potential projects not rise above the "funded" line, just because there is so much that can be done, including what other teams might want from you. So even when you're a rockstar and finish a project early and under budget, the next project is always ready to go. Beyond that, I often see new Amazonians ramping up into 50-60 hour weeks on their own. Sometimes this is because they think they need to prove something, but more often it's new college hires who don't yet know how to communicate delays or un-achievable dates. They're used to college courses with pre-validated and reasonable work, and usually still need to learn how to tell a manager that a project is underestimated or a new requirement will cause the date to slip. In order to achieve a happy work/life balance, you have to practice and get good at saying "no": no to your manager when asked if a date can be hit, and no to yourself when confronted with a project that you want to (or feel like you should) work on at the expense of your night or weekend. It can be done, and with enough practice it's easy, but you usually have to advocate for your work/life balance yourself.

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5.0
23 Jan 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
10 Jan 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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