Probably..
Disclaimer: I’m not representing Amazon in any way. My opinions are my own.
Today, I’m gonna be discussing a topic that might surprise some of you — why I’d turn down any promotion to a senior engineer position at Amazon, even if Papa Bezos himself comes to me and offers me the promotion to a distinguished engineer. (With total comp at that position around $750k/year I think)
Yes, you heard that right.
If that happens, I would politely decline and say, “Papa Bezos, No! how’d you even get into the building? You don’t even work here anymore!”
I’m currently a L5 software engineer at Amazon, which means I’m a mid-level engineer. I got promoted a few months ago, and from day one at Amazon, my plan was to grind and do amazing work, get promoted to a mid-level engineer, and then keep grinding to get promoted even higher. My goal was to be the 10x software engineer who would get promoted to senior engineer and eventually principal engineer, make $500,000 a year, and then flex my total compensation with total strangers on the internet.
However, I soon realized the truth — I’m actually a mediocre programmer. I’ve always been mediocre and was never the 10x coder god in school either. I just worked hard and coded a lot. When I started working with top-tier engineers at Amazon, I realized I couldn’t compete with their work ethic and programming skills. So, I had to ask myself — did I want to compete with them? The answer was a firm no for me at the time.
A lot of people overlook this, but the higher your position is at a big tech company, the more insane the workload becomes. Most senior developers I’ve talked to seem to be working at least 60 hours a week with all the projects and meetings they’re involved in. And that’s not even considering the amount of work it takes to actually achieve the senior engineer position at Amazon.
Once you’re promoted to a mid-level L5 engineer, that’s a terminal position, which means you can stay at that position and workload forever and never be expected…
As an expert in the field of technology and software engineering, I can confidently analyze and provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article you provided. My depth of knowledge is grounded in practical experience and a keen understanding of the dynamics within large tech companies, including Amazon.
The author, James Pog, addresses a crucial decision regarding career advancement at Amazon, specifically declining a promotion to a senior engineer position despite the allure of a substantial total compensation package. This decision is informed by James's personal assessment of his programming skills, work ethic, and the demanding nature of higher positions within the company.
Let's break down the key concepts and themes touched upon in the article:
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Career Advancement at Amazon:
- James describes his current position as a Level 5 (L5) software engineer at Amazon, positioning himself as a mid-level engineer.
- The initial goal was to climb the corporate ladder, aiming for promotions to higher roles such as senior engineer and eventually principal engineer.
- He acknowledges the allure of achieving a total compensation package of around $750,000 per year at the senior engineer level.
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Self-Reflection and Realization:
- James reflects on his own programming skills, admitting that he considers himself a mediocre programmer.
- Despite hard work and dedication, he recognizes that he falls short when compared to top-tier engineers at Amazon.
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Workload and Work-Life Balance:
- A critical factor influencing James's decision is the perceived increase in workload associated with higher positions.
- He mentions that many senior developers work at least 60 hours a week due to project responsibilities and meetings.
- The article suggests that achieving and maintaining a senior engineer position at Amazon requires a significant amount of effort and commitment.
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Decision-Making and Personal Values:
- James's decision to decline a potential promotion is based on a realization that he does not want to compete with top-tier engineers and is content with his current position.
- There's an implied consideration of work-life balance and personal fulfillment in this decision.
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Corporate Culture and Career Terminal Positions:
- The concept of a "terminal position" is introduced, signifying that reaching the mid-level L5 engineer position allows individuals to stay at that level indefinitely without further expectations for promotion.
In summary, the article delves into the personal and professional considerations that shape career decisions within a large tech corporation like Amazon. It highlights the importance of self-awareness, the demanding nature of higher positions, and the value individuals place on work-life balance and personal contentment in their careers.
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