The best of the rest
Pros
1. Excellent salary (but weird refresher model) 2. Great work-life balance – While I’m not sure about AWS specifically, non-AWS groups have an outstanding balance. Anyone claiming otherwise is either misinformed or exaggerating. 3. Opportunities (though not mandatory) to travel for business and visit different parts of the world. 4. Excellent development tools – you have access to the full range of AWS services, allowing you to build anything you want. Just start coding—nothing is stopping you.
Cons
1. Slow career progression – Moving from L5 to L6 can take 4+ years, so be prepared for long periods without a level promotion. 2. Small role in a massive organization – While some teams operate in a "startup mode," they still have to adhere to Amazon's strict rules and regulations, which may not suit everyone. 3. No guaranteed bonuses or stock refreshers – Unlike other companies that provide annual refreshers, Amazon does not guarantee them. If you reach the end of your vesting period without receiving a refresher, it's often a strong signal to start looking for another job. For most "regular" employees, refreshers typically arrive after year three.
