Worked at Coalfire nearly two years - not a pleasant experience. - Security Consultant Coalfire Employee Review

1.0
14 Mar 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Wide exposure to industries, clients, and companies

Cons

Career opportunities are limited when compared to other consulting firms. After two years of dedicated, hard work, I had still not advanced my career. Despite carrots from upper management ("Once you get this cert/finish that project/do this speaking engagement"), I was told it was always just around the corner. Similarly, it's well known that the founders (who have created several other companies together) are building Coalfire for the purpose of selling it to the highest bidder. While this isn't necessarily a negative point in itself, the culture and management reeked of a factory farm - employees are driven hard, and executives pay no mind when there are complaints or problems arising as a result. I was one of those who often made waves to improve morale and company culture, and the result was disappointing, to say the least. Overall, my time here was a learning experience, but miserable. At different times, I found myself harassed, insulted, and even discriminated against, with a strong indication it was to be swept under the carpet and not reported up the food chain. I'd give it less than 1 star, but apparently that's already the lowest option.

Explore other reviews about Coalfire

5.0
29 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits, variety of job functions and service offerings Excellent organizational and management structure Highly intelligent and effective workforce

Cons

Competitive hiring process due to quality of talent the company attracts.

3.0
24 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Real client-facing technical work in regulated/FedRAMP environments; good exposure if compliance-heavy cloud is your lane. - Internal mobility exists on paper; managers may encourage internal candidates for promotions. - New management clearly understands their assignment and is saying the right things and taking initial steps that appear to be moving us towards a strong path forward.

Cons

- Promotion paths can be unstable; roles may get restructured mid-process, which makes career planning hard. - Management quality is uneven; promotion into management isn't always tied to demonstrated leadership, technical capability, or appropriate vision. - Limited structured professional development. - Compensation progression can be a friction point, including for internal moves. - Bonus payouts have come in far below target even for top performers, which has been rough.

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