YOE for SDE3 at Amazon
What is the target YOE for SDE3? Considering joining Amazon as SDE2 with 5 YOE and am wondering what I’m looking at regarding when I will be considered for promotion (assuming above average performance) Secondary to this is there specific traits/performance attributes that they expect from SDE3 apart from pure IC talent/knowledge?
You need to exceed performance and become the team lead of your team consistently for at least 2 years. Easier said than done. Orgs have varying bars though.
Varying bars across orgs cannot be stated enough.
Industry YOE means nothing. Delivery and influence at Amazon does. On average it takes about 4 years as an SDE2, although some have done it as fast as 2 1/2 years in my org.
SDE-III have 6-20 YOE, average probably 12 or so. Usual min more like 8 YOE. By upper end of YOE, most have gone to management.
L5 -> L6 promo at Amazon doesn’t have anything to do with YOE, it has to do with your influence and your performance. There are people with multiple decades of experience that are Amazon L5’s. You’re coming at it in the wrong way.