I have been offered a Sr.PM-T role at Amazon Seattle. This is in the last mile technology group which I understand is one of the key focus areas for Amazon and is experiencing rapid growth and investment. Couple of questions - Can I negotiate to get a Principal PM role? (The original job posting shared with me was for Principal PM but later the same link started showing that it was a Sr.PM-T role) - How many years can it take to get promoted to a Principal if I join as a L6? If I come in at the higher end of a L6, does that mean I can make L7 within 2 years? - Amazon employees working in the last mile delivery group, is this an exciting space within the company to be in? This is an important decision for me and if you want to troll or have something snarky to say, please donāt bother responding. Havenāt received the final offer yet - will update TC once I do. YOE: 10 ( various roles across Software Eng, Data Science, PM and Consulting) Update: 5 years at a FANG - 3 yrs as a Data Architect and 2 as PM, 3 years at startups before that
No, level is not negotiable. L6 to L7 takes 4-5 years on average for those who make it. Fastest Iāve ever seen is 2.5. So no I donāt think 2 years is realistic.
Late APs join at L7 if they're super lucky and have many yoe before that. So if your A2/EM etc, then joining at L7 is very hard.
L7 is the hardest level to crack at Amazon. You can't just negotiate to get to L7 because the interviewers level is different. To give you some perspective, a junior director (L8)in my org was a partner at McK for 13 years.
Unless you work at FCs where you go from L4 to L8 in 4-5 yrs ššš
Getting promo in 2 years from a new hire L6 Sr PMT role to L7 PMT will be SUPER stretched. There is a very high business as well as tech bar which needs approval from Tech VPs and directors for L7 promo cases of L6 PMTs. I have heard mixed reviews about last mile and the organization is undergoing crazy changes (so not among the best teams at Amazon either)
So you canāt negotiate like that at that level. Several considerations: 1) if they though you over performed in the interview, ie you were interviewing at L6 but during the interview you showed skills at L7 level they would have brought that up in the debrief and you could have been up leveled. 2) L7 could have been off the table if the interview panel didnāt include anyone at that level or above. Letās assume that your panel included half L6 and have L7 interview people. L7 is off the table because (by practice) you canāt calibrate someone one level above you. IE an L6 canāt calibrate someone at L7 level. An L4 canāt calibrate L5 etc... this happens the same with the way we promote people. During the promotion process we can only review promotions at our level or below. So as an L6, I have to leave the room when we review L7+ 3) if you really really push for hard for L7 and they agree to have a second look at you, Iāve been told you may have to come in for another loop. But keep in mind if you take that hardline approach, your basically telling the panel (including the Bar Raiser) they got your calibration wrong. In my opinion Donāt push for L7, take the L6 and come in and rock it and get promoted on your own merits.
Really appreciate the detailed response. Makes a lot of sense. My interviewed were a mix of L6 and L7.
One more consideration to this quality post - you can negotiate salary hard and try to get into L7 pay range. Recruiters have the ability to make that happen if they like you.
Last Mile is a shit show
Are you a principle or director right now? If yes then push for L7 otherwise you wonāt be able to negotiate at all. Also a lot depends on your interview performance
Agree with everyone here. This isnāt going to be possible without re-interviewing. L6 to L7 is also an incredibly hard promotion; getting it after two years seems fast.
Going from 6 to 7 is a difficult promotion, 6 is a terminal level. A 2 year promo would be impressive, and you're not going to convince them to give you 7 with your non fang experience.
I spent 5 years at a FANG - as a data architect and PM
And what do you mean by Terminal level?