Avoid - Software Development Engineer Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Feb 12, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is no solid reason for working at this company.

Cons

This review applies to the office in Vancouver, Canada. Unbelievably cheap office, furnished like a sweat-shop, with worse furniture than found in student dorms. It is possible to undergo an ergonomic evaluation and get slightly better furniture, but this generally requires a minimum wait of 2-3 months because expense approvals take forever. In the name of high density, workspaces are packed to the limit, leading to very high noise and distraction, never enough conference rooms, and never enough washrooms. That's right, long waits for washrooms is the norm, and employees are sometimes encouraged to use nearby cafes to attend nature's urgent calls. Developers are forced to write code in slow virtualized environments because the underlying platform is obsolete and no longer supported by current hardware. Development tools are abysmal. There's no on-site recruiter, and near non-existent human resources staff. On-site security consists mainly of a grumpy elderly man who prowls the office and threatens the company's own employees for not wearing their badges visibly enough.

Explore other reviews about Amazon

5.0
Mar 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work environment, supportive team, flexible schedule, and great opportunity to learn new technologies.

Cons

Workload can sometimes be high and communication between teams could be improved.

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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