A great decade - Principal Engineer Amazon Employee Review

3.0
13 Mar 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I love the smart people I've gotten to work with regularly. The customer obsessed cultural is inspiring, and the leadership principles we strive towards are a deep guiding light for successful productivity in any job role. The stock's long-term trajectory (nearly 30% YoY since inception) has been very lucrative for those who have stuck it out. The performance culture is stressful if you're struggling, but generally means you will routinely only be working with highly effective and motivated people. As I've grown in my career, I've always had bigger and broader opportunities presented to me, and have enjoyed the same overall growth that the company has enjoyed.

Cons

The benefits are inferior to most major tech companies. The 401k, for example, has a lowly 2% match. It routinely fails non-discrimination challenges (due to no default enrollment across the company, and low participation of FC workers). Even if we try to contribute the maximum ($18,500 in 2018), then we get a mandatory withdrawal and refund check (of~$3,400 in 2017), and of course this negatively impacts our taxes. It also does not allow after-tax contributions as is possible at a Microsoft or a Google. These gaps can be seen across the entire benefit package. Given that the HCE refunds have happened for over ten years, it's clear the company has no interest in fixing root causes of enrollment gaps to pass the discrimination tests.

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5.0
25 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

pay and schedule. great pay and the work schedule isnt bad either

Cons

fast pace work environment here

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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