At what companies do senior SDE spend most time coding?

Amazon
oDoh50

Go to company page Amazon

oDoh50
Aug 22, 2021 24 Comments

I'm fine with designing and implementing small features myself or with 1 or 2 more people. But don't want to lead any big features or make large tech decisions. I would prefer to spend >50% time coding and 0-10% time meeting. I need at least 1 year to ramp up so don't expect to commit much in the first 6 months and want to work about 6 hours per day. Expecting TC380k-450k. Basically it's same as what I do at amazon as SDE2, reason for switch is mainly for the senior title and better benefits. Can you suggest some companies and teams?

4.5YOE 300K

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TOP 24 Comments
  • Datadog
    tatertote

    Go to company page Datadog

    tatertote
    Do seniors in your company not do coding?

    In any company (or team), if seniors are not doing coding, you need to get out of there fast. All engineers should code, staff engineers included.

    All that changes with senior is the responsibility for success/failure of the architecture. You become more responsible and will have to face the heat a lot more.
    Aug 22, 2021 10
  • I legit donโ€™t understand why any company would hire someone who sounds like you for any role outside of entry level. Is this really what itโ€™s like at the big tech companies?

    I personally like being involved in strategy discussions, so I have gradually shifted to more meetings and less code over my career but the trade off is that I have a stronger voice in what is coded and how the systems connect.
    Aug 22, 2021 2
    • Amazon
      oDoh50

      Go to company page Amazon

      oDoh50
      OP
      It's because I don't sound like this in an interview. I just don't like talking to people. Also once most people reach senior level there is no point to work harder. Probably only less than 5% people go to next level. So I decided to just rest when my career progression is at this level.
      Aug 22, 2021
    • Google
      hCAz70

      Go to company page Google

      hCAz70
      Itโ€™s a spectrum at senior levels, Iโ€™ve seen seniors who code everyday and some who just write simple conifgs or do only reviews.
      Aug 22, 2021
  • Yelp / Eng
    B.Obama

    Go to company page Yelp Eng

    BIO
    Backend developer.
    B.Obama
    This reads like a single mom's dating profile.
    Aug 22, 2021 0
  • Amazon
    69banana69

    Go to company page Amazon

    69banana69
    At Amazon, 0 hours. SDE3 is just bootlicker to the SDM.
    Aug 22, 2021 1
  • Google
    G๐Ÿฅธgleโ€Œ

    Go to company page Google

    G๐Ÿฅธgleโ€Œ
    So OP, you want to work as a mid-level SDE but want the title and pay of Senior SDE?
    Nice joke bro ๐Ÿคฃ

    I hope you don't land up in G, because coasters like you are dreadful paper weights for the team. Seniors have to be hands on and lead projects end to end.
    Aug 22, 2021 0