Bait and Switched - Software Dev Engineer II Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Nov 30, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The compensation was pretty good. Also, you're coworkers, while not necessarily helpful, are very knowledgeable.

Cons

- Extreme individualism. I once was reporting out our metrics for the week and mentioned a win that I had worked on with a coworker. My boss got angry because "He did most of the work". To be clear, I was not attempting to take credit for the work, just saying that it was win for the team. This attitude pervades the whole company. - Management and recruiter lies. I was hired onto a specific team, which I joined because I knew someone on it, and on my first day they moved me to a different team. Classic bait and switch. Had I known they would do this, I would have taken the other offer I had at the time. - Direct criticism under the guise of "being helpful". I was personally criticized multiple times both in team meetings and 1:1s with my manager. - Unrealistic deadlines and no work life balance. Our senior manager said, "you should fail 20% of what you take on in a year". What that really means is that nobody plans well and everyone is stressed because of the amount of work.

Explore other reviews about Amazon

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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