Working as an Applied Scientist at Amazon. I am tired of running experiments, picking up models/code from GitHub, and writing sub-standard Python scripts. I see no growth in this role. Should I switch to SDE? I fear that will involve pay cut. AS are paid more than SDE at Amazon.
What kind of ML does OP do? CV, NLP or recsys or others?
NLP.
Even software engineering can get boring, the trick is to find new business domain to keep it interesting. Unless you are passionate about a field
Could you elaborate more on "finding new business domain"? I work on NLP, and even if I change the business domain, the problems would remain the same.
Do you have PhD? NLP is quite broad. It needs to find the right applications setting to be valuation. NLP pipeline is also huge; NLU NLG audio are beast of their own.
For a few months after a reorg I (a SWE) was told to do some of this ML stuff and I thought it was the most boring shit in the world. I can't fathom how people enjoy this kind of work. I'd rather be paid half and do stuff I like
I was thinking of switching to MLE - what didn't you like in your new role? Are MLEs paid more than SDEs at Google?
I just hate working with models, run experiments, wait for stuff to finish, and then compare some dumb metrics. I don't know if MLEs are paid more, probably only in research teams. I now switched teams. I'm more of a low-level systems SWE so ML is really not something I want to do.
Because of this reason, I’m switching to MLE
What's your role right now?
Applied scientist. ML modeling, Building prototypes
I'm in the exact same boat. Tired of running mindless experiment with the hope of increasing the accuracy by a miniscule amount. Considering switching to SWE but afraid it might end up like DS/MLE :/
YoE?
1 YoE
Are you bored because of ML or because of the problem statement? If more towards latter, you'll find being an SDE to be excruciating
Not exactly bored of the problem statement, but of the day to day work. I have been writing similar code in Python for years. I am sort of an perfectionist, and I don't like the uncertainty and sloppiness in the ML work.
Also DS are not paid more than SDE. Pay is same for both in most companies.
What’s your level and TC? AS are paid more because they are closer to the business decision making. Why can’t you switch to MLE?
L5, 260k. Thinking of doing so.
You are joking with yourself if you think you are getting more as AS. I worked at amazon for like 3 months before deciding to ditch the company.. My TC was around 340k as L5. I was hired as MLE (which is a bit glorified SDE). So.. 1) no you might get not get a pay cut 2) the only thing I don’t about MLE is the oncalls.
I'm sure it's Amazon culture that makes it boring. Don't blame it on your profession.
I think after a few years, all jobs will be boring unless the role is unpredictable. Jumping companies every few years will keep up the excitement.
Who said you are paid more
Atleast at Amazon, AS are paid more than SDEs.
Found an SDE who just found out they aren't the highest paid tech role