A standardized hierarchical structure used by Amazon to classify and compensate software engineering roles. These levels denote increasing responsibility, technical expertise, and impact within the organization, with each level corresponding to a specific salary band, benefits package, and performance expectations. An engineer might, for example, enter at a junior level and progress through subsequent levels with experience and demonstrated skill.
The structure provides a framework for career progression, allowing engineers to understand the requirements for advancement. It promotes internal equity by ensuring that individuals with similar skills and experience are compensated fairly. Historically, this framework has facilitated talent management and resource allocation, streamlining recruitment and performance evaluation processes within a large and complex organization like Amazon.