Story of a SDE-1 at Amazon

Amazon
Shambhoo

Go to company page Amazon

BIO
I am a Software Development Engineer at AWS. My interests are Yog, recreational sports, hiking and problem solving.
Shambhoo
Jan 21, 2021 10 Comments

I was hired as a new grad at a very low TC at Amazon in Seattle for a SDE-1 role (comparing with other engineers at the same location, same company, same position). I requested my manager to look into it and received positive responses. Even though my performance was good and I had positive forte feedback, good and timely deliverables, still I was low balled last year. This was highly discouraging and with the pandemic going on, it totally took away my motivation to put efforts to do more. Seeing my teammate making more at the same level (hired at the same time with a much higher comp.) makes me uncomfortable.

I moved to H1b this year, I will be paying 10k more in taxes.

I am interested in knowing if anyone had been in this situation and what did they do to come out of it? Is Amazon comp. culture that shitty? I know being a new grad I shouldn't worry much about the money but my growth, though it is still discouraging and has had a major impact on me delivering my best towards my professional growth. It's something one doesn't want to fall for but invariably does.

Can someone also tell me what's the salary band for SDE-1 at Amazon and how is that decided?

Thanks
TC: 130k (includes base, stock and the final 2nd year bonus, 10k hike in tax coming up)
Role: SDE-1 @Amazon (AWS)
Location: Seattle

comments

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TOP 10 Comments
  • Amazon
    biggerLose

    Go to company page Amazon

    biggerLose
    Firstly, why didn't you move out when OCI was hiring in Seattle?
    I know plenty of people who left Amazon within 6 months because they constantly kept looking elsewhere.

    Goal is to only use Amazon to get interviews.

    Even now there are plenty of companies out there that pay more than Amazon. LC and GTFO
    Jan 21, 2021 2
    • Amazon
      Shambhoo

      Go to company page Amazon

      BIO
      I am a Software Development Engineer at AWS. My interests are Yog, recreational sports, hiking and problem solving.
      Shambhoo
      OP
      This is a good suggestion, I should be constantly looking for better opportunities.
      Jan 21, 2021
    • Amazon
      biggerLose

      Go to company page Amazon

      biggerLose
      I just don't understand people sometimes. Unless you are L6 and above you should be constantly looking for opportunities
      Jan 21, 2021
  • I don’t think there’s any point in worrying about your peer’s compensation.
    You should have gotten multiple offers and negotiated your way up when you accepted the offer.
    No one will ever be happy if they compare their compensation with the highest in the band. There will be someone earning more than you at your level.
    If they somehow get the absolute highest number in the band, they start worrying about a less experienced person hired at the next level. This greed never ends.
    Stop worrying and start leetcoding. You’re doing great than a lot of people.
    Jan 21, 2021 2
  • Zoox
    KJkX67

    Go to company page Zoox

    KJkX67
    I assume you didn’t negotiate with a counter offer when you joined? I recommend LC hard to get a higher paying job. Amazon don’t care about their code slaves. Don’t let them take advantage of you.
    Jan 21, 2021 1
  • New
    @elon

    New

    @elon
    Switch jobs. No need to beat down urself for such amount of money...
    Jan 21, 2021 0
  • Flagged by the community.