House of mirrors

I worked in an organization I can best describe as a house of mirrors. Directors and principles were 29 year old kids with community college degrees, managers in charge of scientists (with PhDs, post docs) did not know basic computer science and did not even hold a comp sci degree. 

I witnessed managers try and destroy the careers of anyone that might threaten them. I recall a particularly gifted scientist that created all the innovation for his team and was set up with a "HR disciplinary" for allegedly using open source libraries without "authorization". This was all coordinated by his manager and his pet autistic sidekick to secure his positions within the org. The scientist of course left and has a better position within another big competitor. 

After seeing several instances like this in my 3 years at Amazon, I decided to do the same and leave. I warn anyone naively following the leveling guide and doing "too well" at Amazon: beware many managers find rapid success threatening and will be gunning for you. Better yet, avoid Amazon in the first place.