Work-life balance is a real struggle here
Working at Amazon as a Software Development Engineer was a real challenge, especially trying to keep my personal life separate. The workload is heavy, and it's easy to get caught up in the always-on culture, particularly in the Seattle office. Career growth is possible if you're willing to commit, but it costs you time.
The pay's competitive, which is a big draw for a big tech company. You also learn super fast, which is good for your career as a Software Development Engineer. Benefits like health insurance are pretty good, too.
Work-life balance is genuinely tough, especially with constant on-call rotations. It feels like you're always connected, even when you're not physically in the Seattle office. Long hours are common, and burnout is a real thing.
Leaders need to genuinely prioritize employee well-being over just hitting aggressive targets. More realistic project deadlines and better staffing could help reduce burnout across the board. The 'always-on' mentality isn't sustainable.