Not a fun place to work - Sr. Program Manager Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Mar 15, 2018
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

compensation & benefits are at market . Nice offices and the ability to bring your dog to work.

Cons

I knew going in that Amazon didn't have the best reputation as an employer, but I felt I did my homework (talked to current and former employees), read online reviews and even the infamous New York times article about the culture. But I accepted the offer after meeting my immediate team members and they seemed professional and nice. So I thought I'd give it a try, what's the worse that could happen? If I hate it, I would just leave. It wasn't until about 6 months into my role, did I realize how realistic that article was in portraying the toxic culture. I've seen peers and senior leaders in meetings making their colleagues cry and/or made them feel stupid. I've also personally experienced a VP talking down to me in the most unprofessional manner. It felt like she got joy making me feel uncomfortable and enjoyed bullying me. I told my boss about the experience and she basically shrugged and said that's how she is and that she's tough on everyone.Then she told me that VP made another colleague cry, so not to take it personally.I have tough skin, but I was so disappointed by the lack of concern or tolerance to bullying behavior. What's also really sad, we're in human resources! Our jobs in HR is to ensure everyone feels safe and respected. Anyway, I regretted my decision of leaving my former organization, so I left immediately after my 1st year.

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5.0
Jan 23, 2026
Recommend
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
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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