Hindered by its own arrogance - Software Engineer Canonical Employee Review

3.0
5 Aug 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Technically interesting work. Very smart co-workers. Some genuine signs that some progress on cultural issues is being made. Lots of work/life flexibility.

Cons

Ruled by an internal elite that is unwilling to listen. Senior leaders are known to verbally abuse others, publicly shaming them in all-hands meetings, etc. Even people who deeply respect Mark Shuttleworth are quick to point to new staff that he is a narcissistic psychopath. That attitude cascades through multiple levels of management.

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5.0
18 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

very good. happy so far

Cons

could be better, like the time of application to final round

2.0
23 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Met some interesting people, had some interesting conversations.

Cons

Was constantly hearing bad stories about upper management. I only experienced the CEO expressing minor annoyance and paranoia a couple of times. My line manager always seemed to be treading water, fixated on dev-ops ceremonies, and didn't respect the opinions of his peers. The guy who was the "expert" for my field practised management by spreadsheet and was completely out of his depth, always obsessing about his approach to the work and inflicting his opinion on everyone else. Spent too much time having to plan for travel or hear about everyone's travel plans. Wasted so much time in the company's ongoing recruitment drive which pushes most of the work of interviewing and filtering candidates onto regular employees.

3
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