This is not my experience whatsoever and someone who works 50+ weeks for big tech. Especially with decreased value for the human element in favor of AI there are now more demands than ever. Engineers have become much more expendable.
I've been in big tech for 12+ years now. The first handful of years are definitely a grind to earn your spot, get a couple promos. After that though, it can become quite a bit easier to coast if that's what you're looking for. People know you, know you're probably valuable cause you're "senior" or "staff" and still here, and likely leave you alone. But yeah, as a newer engineer these days, it still requires the initial commitment to earn the privilege of coasting in a big tech company.
