Whoever told you theres no bonuses at Amazon is not a top employee
This isn't about people who get their work done fast and execute on projects well.
Edit, just for more context I'm speaking of FAANG level companies here and very rare individual unicorn engineers who have been specifically hired into these kinds of positions for past achievements that have impact across the whole industry. I would agree with your general skepticism in any other context.
As you said, you don't know me and I don't know you, so I don't have a reason to doubt your word. If you say you've met engineers who get that kind of compensation, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Everyone I've met or I've known to be in that level of compensation were the people I already knew were making that kind of money.
You: "Yes. But it's a secret."
So that's how Amazon works - people can't even get a straight answer from management as to the existence of a bonus structure (let alone how it works)? They need to whisper it to each other offer coffee, or... go on Hacker News to find out what the actual deal is?
The bonus structure works like this.
1.) You provide massive value, maybe move the needle on the bottom line
2.) Someone way high up who probably doesnt even know you wants to know whos responsible.
3.) He tells HR, give that guy an extra million and let me meet him
Yup, checks out