A Great Place to Work with Its Pros and Cons - Network Development Engineer Amazon Employee Review

4.0
Feb 9, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazon is a fantastic place to work if you appreciate a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Teams and individuals are encouraged to quickly adapt to changing priorities, which can be a pro for some but may not be suitable for everyone. The "Correction of Errors" process helps eliminate the blame game that often occurs during outages at other companies. Working in networking at Amazon offers unique and challenging problems that are difficult to find elsewhere. NDEs (network development engineers) are given the opportunity to work on the problems that interest them, even if it means switching teams. The company has high hiring standards, which means you'll be surrounded by bright and diverse individuals.

Cons

The constant change of priorities can have negative side-effects. Your project might have its scope altered or even cancelled altogether. The company's organizational structure has changed every 3 years or so, and there's often a trade-off between long-term personal development and short-term goals. If you're interested in pursuing non-Amazon technical development or certifications, be prepared to invest personal time and money. The combined effect of these factors has made my experience disappointing. I've reported to seven different managers in my time with the company, which has made it difficult to advance. However, experiences at Amazon vary widely depending on your team and focus, and some teams are better than others. I strongly recommend vetting your manager and team thoroughly before accepting a position. Finally, the scale of Amazon requires teams to focus on a smaller part of the bigger picture, which can result in siloed teams and individuals. Some teams do a good job of balancing their narrow focus with a broader perspective, but this is not always the case, especially in networking.

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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