Amazon Exception Offer FEE II L5 (Bay Area)
Hi, I've received an offer for L5 FEE II from amazon for 410K TC. I interviewed for L6 role and down leveled to L5. Recruiter mentioned 9-12 months for L6 Promotion with fast track path. I am currently working as a Principal Engineer in a successful mid level cloud services company. I haven't worked in FAANG before. Should I join amazon as L5? Role: Principal Engineer (Not in GE) YOE: 20 Current TC:350K #amazon #amazonaws #faang #tech
I was in the same boat. Took me 4 yr to get to L6
Op, not worth it. L5 to L6 promo is a lot harder than you expect. it usually takes 3-5 years. If you are exceptional and you get lucky with projects and manager, it might take less time. I wouldn’t count on it
Fast-track path is not predictable and you need at least 2 years if not from FAANG to create artifacts, meet/exceed LPs. That TC doesn’t seem like a huge bump and there will be a ramp up. Are you willing to go through that? If yes, welcome and you will learn a lot. If you are comfortable with your current job and not willing to go through the learning curve, then stay.
I'm willing to go through the learning curve, but I'm curious if the L6 promotion would take into account my prior experience or if I'll need to demonstrate everything in Amazon.
Nope. You’ll start fresh like any other L5, which is part of the challenge. But your maturity and experience should show through. I’ve been through this with 10 YOE and it took me ~3 years.
Lol you’ll be working with L5s who will be 1.5 years out of college. That’s just not it - they will also most likely have a more straightforward path to L6 since they would have been at the company longer 😂
Yeah but your salary is higher than internal L6, so who is L5 and L6? I’ll say who makes more is L6
How long they took for exception approval?
You should not join. Fast track path to L6 doesn’t happen. It’s not up to your manager or the recruiter.