Bob Smith, are you really listening? - Software Engineer Blue Origin Employee Review

5.0
Jun 25, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This remains one of the tiny handful of places in the world where you can be at the forefront of getting humanity to the stars. In objective terms, this place is awesome. New Shepard is almost out the door. New Glenn is real, is happening, is getting built. Smart, helpful, humble, visionary co-workers. Familiar Amazon perks like dogs in the office, free snacks and drinks, an endless firehose to learn new skills and hone current ones.

Cons

When Bob Smith gave his first all-hands address to all of Blue in his new role as CEO, he started with two words that sent chills down my spine: "We're listening". tl;dr: You can guess by the fact I'm here writing a review on Glassdoor, joined by countless others, what I have concluded about that. This is something Rob Meyerson would have never, ever said. He would have never acknowledged that there was a distinct "we" (i.e. upper management) separate from the "we" that was all of Blue. He would have never bothered to say it at all -- he would have assumed it would have shown from his actions, and that it was his very first, basic responsibility as the leader of his company. All of my pertinent complaints about the state of the company stem from this one phrase.

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5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with great culture for all

Cons

Not much to say on this

2.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

4 weeks of PTO, good benefits, free drinks and snacks available at all locations.

Cons

Leadership is inconsistent and often incompetent, company is very segmentalized and each group operates to different goals and schedules, poor communication with other parts of the company and with leadership. There is an overarching Yes-men mentality amongst leadership, and they often are just aiming to not be the group to be to blame for delays or failures. Personal growth is limited and widely ranges between different groups, there are areas where people see regular raises and promotions, while the majority seems to be told there are freezes or that they will be put in for next cycle. Pay has fallen behind, in the past they used to pay well and above the industry standard, but have not kept pace. Hours can be very long, again dependent on your group, some people may enjoy things like work from home or flexible schedules, but the majority are asked to work long hours and even support roles that could be remote are forced to be on site, despite a lack of space for the number of employees. I moved desks locations and buildings 6 times in 3 years. Re-orgs happen every 6 months, and create significant instability within the company, but rarely bring positive improvements. Good talent is not rewarded, and leaving quickly.

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