Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:21     Subject: Fed or Amazon
It never hurts to interview. Good experience as you never know what's coming down the road these days.

You can always say no.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 09:44     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Dude. Stay. You’d be crazy to leave for AWS if you’re in a non-sup 15. Unless you’re at an agency that’s about to disappear? Why do you want to leave?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 21:45     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:Feel like I am a top performer (but who doesn’t) but I have no desire to work anywhere that is culling 15% or whatever of the workforce every year. I mean the politics alone must be a nightmare.


You had to be Brahmin caste to survive long term.

If you are Caucasian don’t go to Amazon
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 21:40     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Isn't that kind of the fed position everybody wants? I mean, I am sick of federal work so I'd do anything to get away from it. Still, you're in a pretty good position.


well yeah, i loved my job and was going to retire here. but times have changed drastically and its likely my agency will be wound down like USAID etc.


NRO is hiring right now, with direct hire authority, including positions up to GS-15. Their hiring waiver is limited - mostly targeted for technical positions (GS-1550, -801,-854,-855, and more). They need software people and engineers with technical experience. They also are not going to be eliminated, so more stable than most Fed jobs.

A smart Fed might transfer there.


What are the implications of going from a career fed to a direct hire? Won't you be probationary?!
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 21:38     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Isn't that kind of the fed position everybody wants? I mean, I am sick of federal work so I'd do anything to get away from it. Still, you're in a pretty good position.


well yeah, i loved my job and was going to retire here. but times have changed drastically and its likely my agency will be wound down like USAID etc.


NRO is hiring right now, with direct hire authority, including positions up to GS-15. Their hiring waiver is limited - mostly targeted for technical positions (GS-1550, -801,-854,-855, and more). They need software people and engineers with technical experience. They also are not going to be eliminated, so more stable than most Fed jobs.

A smart Fed might transfer there.


will check it out — is it protected from doge?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 19:15     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:AWS chews people up and spits them out. The only reason to move is the money. If they’re not giving you the money walk away. Let someone who actually lost their job deal with that mess.


Few at AWS seem to manage to finish 36 months there. Some jump out of frustration. Others get caught up in the annual mandatory 15% layoff. Some managers now hire people with a plan to lay them off, in order to protect their other employees. Much less stable than even current Federal employment. Terrible place to work.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 19:12     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Isn't that kind of the fed position everybody wants? I mean, I am sick of federal work so I'd do anything to get away from it. Still, you're in a pretty good position.


well yeah, i loved my job and was going to retire here. but times have changed drastically and its likely my agency will be wound down like USAID etc.


NRO is hiring right now, with direct hire authority, including positions up to GS-15. Their hiring waiver is limited - mostly targeted for technical positions (GS-1550, -801,-854,-855, and more). They need software people and engineers with technical experience. They also are not going to be eliminated, so more stable than most Fed jobs.

A smart Fed might transfer there.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 19:06     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Circling back, if this role isn't the right fit for me, should I still go through with the interview to discuss other potential opportunities or higher comp?

I'm concerned about wasting their time and how it might affect my prospects for future roles.

Also, I'm curious—shouldn't a position at Amazon be more marketable in the Big Tech landscape?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:20     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Isn't that kind of the fed position everybody wants? I mean, I am sick of federal work so I'd do anything to get away from it. Still, you're in a pretty good position.


well yeah, i loved my job and was going to retire here. but times have changed drastically and its likely my agency will be wound down like USAID etc.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:19     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Surprising because my child (23) out earns me (a 14-10 fed) at AWS. They enjoy the job. It seems pretty flexible. No strict accounting for hours. Office work is required but not for the whole day so people just pop in. Insurance is so much better than federal. DC did not wait till 26 to leave ours.


what do they do at aws? sounds like sales.

Software engineering


by total comp more than fed, im including the value of pension — so are they making more than $250k? very possible for SE but there have been lots of layoffs as there is SE glut.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:15     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Surprising because my child (23) out earns me (a 14-10 fed) at AWS. They enjoy the job. It seems pretty flexible. No strict accounting for hours. Office work is required but not for the whole day so people just pop in. Insurance is so much better than federal. DC did not wait till 26 to leave ours.


what do they do at aws? sounds like sales.

Software engineering
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:15     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory


Isn't that kind of the fed position everybody wants? I mean, I am sick of federal work so I'd do anything to get away from it. Still, you're in a pretty good position.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:12     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:Not sure it's a great time to jump. They're doing another big round of layoffs coming up in January. Friend of mine works there and does well and says it can be very team dependent, but you won't know that going in. He's basically forced to layoff some on his team even though in his words they're all great employees. RSU's look great on the offer letter but it doesn't mater if they fire you after a couple years. Wouldn't go there myself except as a last resort.


might have DOGE 2.0 come January..
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 18:11     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Anonymous wrote:OP are you technical or business side?
What level fed?


technical. GS15 non supervisory
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 17:28     Subject: Fed or Amazon
Not sure it's a great time to jump. They're doing another big round of layoffs coming up in January. Friend of mine works there and does well and says it can be very team dependent, but you won't know that going in. He's basically forced to layoff some on his team even though in his words they're all great employees. RSU's look great on the offer letter but it doesn't mater if they fire you after a couple years. Wouldn't go there myself except as a last resort.