Software Dev Manager at Amazon

Sep 9, 2019 12 Comments

hey folks.
im a Technical PM at Azure and have had decent trajectory. yoe -4 level 64. tc - 260k

i have been approached for a dev mgr role at EC2. i was wondering what is expected of a dev manager at amazon? is it more of a tech lead role with focus on code reviews or is it more of architecture, strategy for business, and people management.

Im a cs grad but i have only built POCs in the last couple of years and almost never written production level code.

would love to hear thoughts from SDMs at amazon.

@amazon

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TOP 12 Comments
  • Can you PIP people? If yes go for it. Managers at Amazon are full time people managers. They manage reports 30% write docs the 30% and the rest of the time 40% backstab required peers or report to keep their job.
    Sep 9, 2019 4
    • Oracle
      larry_off

      Go to company page Oracle

      larry_off
      It’s not as bad as @frps52 projects. Reviews on blind are skewed. Yes it is hard at Amazon but there is a lot of exaggeration on blind. Don’t judge a company of the scale Amazon from reviews on blind. Just look at the job description.

      After all, close to 20 of my friends working at Amazon are happy about their jobs.
      Sep 9, 2019
    • OP
      Yeah I take anonymous feedback with a grain of salt. Thanks for your perspective.
      Sep 9, 2019
  • I had a SDM at Amazon who was from Microsoft and probably a technical PM with no people management experience. It was one of my worst managers experience. Hopefully if you join you'll get better coaching than my then manager.
    Sep 9, 2019 1
  • Amazon
    cuang

    Go to company page Amazon

    cuang
    You will not have to code in the interview. But surprised they’re recruiting you given no people management experience. Makes me sad
    Sep 9, 2019 1
    • OP
      I need to get people mgmt experience at some point. I pretty much can do my dev managers job at Microsoft since we work so closely. The only reason I’m considering leaving MSFT is for a shot at people management.
      Sep 9, 2019
  • Oracle
    nrkt

    Go to company page Oracle

    nrkt
    Hi OP , could you share tips on getting approached for Software dev manager roles from other companies ? Is it via LinkedIn ?
    Sep 11, 2019 2
    • OP
      Yep via LinkedIn. I’d say have a detailed updated Linkedin section with what you do specifically and impact of it. The technology and product you work on. If you lead a team indirectly, mentor folks make it known.. And keep the let recruiters know you’re interested option on.

      In this case I went further an Connected with a recruiter who was hiring SDMs for AWS; and they reached out asking if I was interested.
      Sep 12, 2019
    • Oracle
      nrkt

      Go to company page Oracle

      nrkt
      Thankyou very helpful ! Could you suggest on how to be prepared for SDM interview rounds ? I am just getting started
      Sep 12, 2019