Take Offer at Amazon?
I am a software engineer at heart, started my engineering career since 2005. I was a team lead (effectively software manager where I worked) starting Dec 2014 Moved to NYC in Dec 2016, was hired as a Senior Manager to manage a team of 4 that I grew to 30 engineers due to increasing requirements, left in Dev 2018. I had team leads reporting to me and engineers reporting to the leads. Right now, since Dec 2018, I am a Director at one of the big travel sites in the states, managing 18 people across 4 different teams. I interviewed at amazon during one of the recruiting events and they want to extend me an offer as a software development manager. I spoke with the potential hiring manager and his team sounds exciting but I will only be managing 3 people. With over 14 years experience in the industry, 4.5 years experience as a manager and recently with managing multiple teams that are considerable in size and While I am excited to work at amazon , and with amazon quality engineers, I can't help but feel this is a step down in my career Am I wrong to feel that? I would like to learn what other manager would do in this case and how you think it would affect my career long term.
Its not about how many ppl u manage its about how u fine tune the quality of the product and ur teams wlb that makes u a great manager. Ure a type of person who sounds u only care about the numbers which is a great fit for amazon. Good luck to those 3 ppl lol
While we do not know each other and I can not convince you otherwise, but I fight for my engineers work life balance and work load more often than the product team and my VP likes. I am just considering the number of people for next steps in my career. After being a director, I would expect to be a VP or a CTO of a small company. Managing big teams is certainly helpful for that next step. I am just wondering if managing .a small team would affect the next career step.
Ill be honest, it is a huge downgrade in terms of how people look at u. Went from a director to a first line SDM. But what u will get by managing 3 direct lc is that ull be closer to “ur team”. If becoming VP/CTO is ur dream, dont take it. Every move needs to be up rather than down for u because ur target is VP.
I thought SDM requires minimal of 6 direct reports after span of control? 3 direct reports sounds like someone training to be a SDM.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . The hiring manager did mention that while we do not have any more headcount this year, it's possible that we grow the team next year.
that sounds like an L5 manager so would say nope
Most Probably that would be the case. I will wait for the offer and see Level and TC.
You don’t have to wait. Ask your recruiter.
I am looking opportunity at Priceline. Are you open to refer me??
If I end up moving to Amazon, sure. If I do not , I'll be happy to share some names you can reach out to on LinkedIn but I wouldn't refer you because I would like to remain anonymous :)
Okay. Thanks. I just sent you message. I hope I will get reply on it once you make your decision.😊
3 reports? Lol
My thought exactly :D
Current TC is 270k (Base + Cash bonus is main part, around 30k equity every year) I do not have the offer yet from amazon. I have a call with the recruiter tomorrow, and they want to know how I think the call went with the manager and discuss next steps. I am wondering if I should bring up my hesitation at all.