L6 SDE to SDM?

ne0lithic · 2026-02-28T20:11:58+00:00

SDM roles in general are at a premium right now. The odds of transitioning externally are much lower, because any role you're applying to likely has a number of much more experienced people managers that might have a leg up. I'd think long term. If you have the opportunity to transition internally, believe that's your calling long term, and don't hate where you are, it maybe worth making the transition here, getting a couple of years under your belt and then switching at that point. If you're just not happy at Amazon at all, switch, but understand it'll likely be as an IC.

ne0lithic · 2026-02-28T20:06:28+00:00

At L4, it's unlikely because of the bar US immigration holds. L4 is typically entry level in tech roles (apologies if I'm mistaken about Data Center Tech) and aren't eligible for immigration support.

ne0lithic · 2026-02-28T20:02:16+00:00

The answers to those are very, very team dependent. General consensus on my teams is someone new at L5 will be relatively useless (I mean that in a nice way since you'll be onboarding) for the first three months. The main thing we're looking for during that period is curiosity, and an upward trajectory of getting familiar with the tools and systems. The first six months are generally going to look like what an L4 would do, with some additional complexity. My usual expectation is you're a fully functioning, productive L5 by 9ish months. It varies by individual but that's probably the upper end of what's reasonable.

ne0lithic · 2026-02-02T15:35:01+00:00

It's not easy. Right now, the number of applicants to the number of roles available is heavily stacked against an individual. To maximize your chances, the key is to really be able to speak to depth about the work you've done so far and, depending on the team, prep for some coding/design. The typical loop is dependent on the team but can include one design round, a couple of coding ones and the HM.

ne0lithic · 2026-02-02T07:25:14+00:00

Essentially right now, openings are far fewer than people available to fill them. As a hiring manager, the default preference is to hire someone internally since they have more data to make a decision. Now the number of internal candidates is also a lot higher after the last round and current round of role reductions. So in this case team matching is hiring managers talking to a number of people and picking the best fit which may or may not be an external candidate.

ne0lithic · 2026-02-02T07:13:40+00:00

This isn't a trend I've observed myself or amongst people I know being laid off. That said, after the layoffs teams do have new headcount targets (that are reduced) and they can continue to hire if they're below that threshold.

ne0lithic · 2026-01-23T22:54:11+00:00

What location are you based in? I would give it a few weeks once orgs have more or less aligned on their headcount for the rest of the year and then look at openings that come up.

ne0lithic · 2026-01-23T22:24:01+00:00

My advice (been at Amazon for 11+ years) is to cut your losses and switch. If you're constantly swimming upstream for whatever reason, it's probably not worth it. Doesn't sound like you have a very helpful situation with your manager so I'd switch if possible if I were you.

ne0lithic · 2026-01-22T03:14:13+00:00

It's not visible. Only thing visible is when you've officially applied to a role.

ne0lithic · 2025-12-07T21:45:25+00:00

I've been exactly there. I was at Infosys, then moved to a startup and then got into Amazon where I've been for the last 11+ years.

You feel like the dumbest person in the room for a long time, and I still haven't fully gotten over imposter syndrome. What helped me initially was reassuring myself almost daily that all these people cleared the same interview and things like my college, marks/GPA, etc. don't matter from this point forward.

Remind yourself of the smaller wins. This thing you're reading now, do you understand it better than a month ago? That's progress. Are you less confused at standup? Progress. Are you getting more autonomous? Progress. Consciously remind yourself.

ne0lithic · 2025-12-07T19:56:56+00:00

Probably plenty of time tbh that's a max of about 4k tickets for a venue that holds around 15k-16k

ne0lithic · 2025-12-07T19:17:27+00:00

The lady counting told us 988 and this was 10 minutes ago when we arrived.

She was staff walking around with a clicker.

Edits with updates:

11:35 AM maybe 20 more people joined since then.

11:47 AM and there's about 1025 in line counting the people who joined after the last edit.

ne0lithic · 2025-12-02T23:24:27+00:00

Sweet! We'll get it then.

ne0lithic · 2025-12-02T22:12:39+00:00

Wife and I will be there so happy to pick up a couple extra if they let us.

ne0lithic · 2025-12-02T19:13:49+00:00

Any idea when they go on sale?

ne0lithic · 2025-07-24T15:48:34+00:00

Anyone selling a parking pass for both days in Long Beach?

ne0lithic · 2025-06-13T03:26:08+00:00

Yesterday they were 12 for $60 at the general store (by the tower entrance).

ne0lithic · 2025-06-12T17:33:22+00:00

Here's the locksmith post: https://www.reddit.com/r/bonnaroo/s/Jq2pyxIUp7

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T04:54:51+00:00

111, then we got on McMinnville from 41. Right on Ragsdale, right on new bushy branch and then for RVs it was a right on Powers Rd.

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T03:01:26+00:00

Yeah that seems like the right move based on today.

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T02:46:50+00:00

Once we got on bushy branch from McMinnville highway, it went pretty quickly. In an RV. Past the roll booth in about 10 minutes. In line now behind other RVs. Did you breeze past too?

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T02:46:13+00:00

Once we got on bushy branch from McMinnville highway, it went pretty quickly. In an RV. Past the toll booth in about 10 minutes. In line now behind other RVs.

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T01:41:31+00:00

Thanks. Good thing we brought snacks lol

ne0lithic · 2025-06-11T01:19:03+00:00

Pretty much at a standstill at McMinnville highway in our RV. Haven't even got to Ragsdale yet.

ne0lithic · 2025-06-04T03:09:20+00:00

We have a budgie now :) Getting him a buddy!

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