IBM Senior Software Engineer reviews

3.9

82% would recommend to a friend

(2,155 total reviews)
avatar

Arvind Krishna

74% approve of CEO

76% positive business outlook

Software Engineer/Senior Software Engineer employees have rated IBM with 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 2,155 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Software Engineer/Senior Software Engineer professionals have a good working experience there. IBM is rated in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) by Software Engineer/Senior Software Engineer professionals compared to other employers within the IT (Information Technology) industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
1.0
Feb 6, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The pay's good for senior talent. The benefits are decent.

Cons

Bloated bureaucracy and overbearing processes. Much lip-service paid to Open Source, but legal approval processes to be able to use it make it agonizing and slow to actually get permission to use it. Patronizing and often downright mean management. Management which often explicitly stifles and punishes any hints of dissent; aka, "honest opinions". Much arrogance about being "cutting edge", whereas the reality is that IBM is too slow to adopt new technologies. Co-option of terms like "agile", applying them to whatever IBM currently does rather than actually changing and "walking the walk". Constant fear of being on the "wrong" project or working for the "wrong" manager, which may lead you vulnerable to the next round of layoffs. A performance review process which often bears little relationship to reality, with only managers and a few "architects" giving any input into your review, as opposed to your actual peers with whom you work. Lack of money to buy equipment, resulting in obsolete computers on desktops, and a constant struggle to find adequate hardware to test on.

3.0
Jan 5, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Usually great co-workers and technically, some of the best in the industry IMO. Often interesting projects that allow you to greatly expand your knowledge in many, many fields.

Cons

Incompetent senior management that has restricted first line managers to the extent they are glorified team leads. Everything, every decision, every raise, every bonus, every schedule is micro-managed by senior managers. The first lines are just talking heads touting the company line when you know very few believe any of it. That and that fact that every year, senior managers figure out a way to take something from the employees, vacation, raises, promotions, retirement, you name it. Fire Randy McDonald (HR VP) first, he seems to take particular joy in sticking it to the employees every year.

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