I recently interviewed for AWS SDE2 and got a down-level offer for SDE1. I have been working for Walmart for 2.5 years as Software Engineer 3 with 🥜 TC in NYC. And Today got confirmation that I will be promoted to Senior SDE next week, which is SDE4 at Walmart; my new manager thinks I have been underpaid and agreed to give me a promotion raise to mid-band of the next pay grade. I like my current team, unlimited PTO, good team dynamics and etc., I am just not satisfied with the current salary. I also want to step out of my comfort zone to learn more at AWS, but afraid of their pip culture. Amazon SDE1 TC: 210k (180k base + 48k 2 year signon + 475 RSUs = 57k) Walmart Promotion TC: Maybe around 201k I do not know the exact numbers yet. But the base will be in the range of 136k - 200k since my manager told me he would put me in the mid-band, which I assume is around 155k + 45k RSUs + 20% bonus yearly. Both work location is NYC. Current TC: 120k + 25k RSU + 16% = 160k YOE: total 3.6
Do not join Pipzon
surprised amazon is winning, I would be at walmart and interview elsewhere. Amazon and Walmart are not that different.
Hard to get promo quickly in Amazon. A lot of Documentation work
How is SDE1 at Amazon equivalent to Senior SDE at Walmart?! SDE 1 at Amazon is usually for people fresh out of college right?
If amazon does not believe you raise their bar for sde 2, you get downleveled. Banana factory sde 2 bar is decent and sde 3 is incredibly high.
Never take l4 at Amazon, they give out l5 to 2 yoe
Even staff/principal engineers outside will get downleveled to SDE2 at amazon.
Tc bump not worth it. Try amazon again after a year. Try to get in as sde2
Actually I agree. Not because I’m highly negative on Amazon, but they will be locked in at that low 200s comp for many years. There is no upside even with promo at Amazon becaus they set them at bottom of band. You make your big money on your initial offer. OP should stay at Walmart to get more experience and interview again in 1-year to get L5 in AWS. That comp will be significantly higher.
I got promoted to SDE 4 at Walmart last year and it’s been great! I like my team and work that we do here. Best of all is the wlb, I wouldn’t trade it for a little bump in tc.
location?
Sunnyvale
It’s not as bad as you may think. As long as you hold your weight, communicate and collaborate properly, take initiative and are an active team member. You’ll be fine. Just maintain the same level of enthusiasm for the job from day 1
It's always day1