Currently at MSFT L63 fully remote good team & WLB, interviewed for L6 but was downlevelled to L5. This would require moving to seattle. Current TC: ~240k (will reach 4 year cliff next year) Offer TC: Max 305 (Don’t have the exact breakdown, but base caps at 192k) YOE: 7 Update: Thanks all for great feedback. Likely will apply elsewhere.
Amazon L5 is really just SDE II. Your hourly pay will likely be lower, plus suffering their infamous toxic culture. Why the move? I understand the pain of a cliff, but would suggest interviewing with other companies
Was at Microsoft before Amazon. I don’t really see a difference between L5 and L61-L64. Just my opinion, L6 is more like L65. But YMMV depending on org. IMO it’s not worth it though. Other companies will let u get senior while being L64. Amazon L5 to L6 is a stupid grind for you to make.
Not worth it
L5 pay is great but beware the mandatory RTO and like others said promo to 6 is quite difficult for SDE.
Is Microsoft still giving out SSA? Could help with the cliff. The TC bump for Amazon with worse WLB and moving to Seattle doesn’t sound worth it.
Have you not had refreshers as you approach your cliff?
DO NOT JOIN AMAZON!
Amazon is a big no no, take it only if you are jobless or on pip
Promos at AMZN requires a stupid amount of politics. Plus you'll always be competing with your teammates in the messed up ranking system...which of course is again unofficially infused with politics.
Hi Binoy