Amazon has changed a lot - Principal Engineer Amazon Employee Review

3.0
17 Nov 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Big company, big potential for impact, IF you can navigate corporate politics. Tons of options for type of work, Amazon does pretty much everything and internal mobility is encouraged. Retail, entertainment, payments, cloud, hardware... When I joined, Amazon was tough, but fair. Data-backed arguments were valued, and anyone could bring a document to the table. Because it valued ideas over people, and promoted based on results only, it had a surprisingly good gender ratio and ethnic diversity for senior engineers. You can still find pockets of that data-driven culture, but they're shrinking. Leadership principles are great, when they're followed.

Cons

Amazon is increasingly about who you know and how confident you sound. Senior management no longer takes the time to poke holes in one-way door ideas, and the number of arrogant narcissists just keeps growing. HR can't stop leaders from purging orgs to surround themselves with loyalists and yes-men. Benefits are slightly below par for big tech, as is pay. 5-day RTO is a mess. The only upside to the layoffs is that maybe physical infrastructure won't be totally oversubscribed anymore.

Explore other reviews about Amazon

5.0
17 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Great team and manager -Lots of resources to learn -Flexible

Cons

-Pace can be brutal -Can have lots of meetings

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.

3159
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